Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was born July 18, 1918.

He is a South African anti-apartheid activist, revolutionary and politician who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the first to be elected in a fully representative, multiracial election. Nelson's administration focused on dismantling apartheid's legacy and cutting racism, poverty and inequity. Politically a democratic socialist, he served as president of the African National Congress political party from 1991 to 1997. Internationally, Mandela was the Secretary-General of the Non-Aligned Movement from 1998 to 1999.