Nelson Mandela Biography | Nelson Mandela Photos

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was president of South Africa 1994 to 1999 and was the first African president to be elected in fully representative democratic elections. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist and leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC). Mandela has received more than 250 awards over four decades, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize.