ABSTRACT
South African resistance leader who in 1994 became the first black president of the Republic of South Africa. Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, Nelson Mandela struggled for many years to gain freedom and equality for blacks in South Africa. Considered a terrorist by white political opponents, Mandela was looked upon as a heroic freedom fighter by South African blacks and others throughout the world. After nearly 30 years in prison on charges of treason, and just a few years after his release, he won the presidency of his country.
