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Nelson Mandela (1918- )

South African Politician and lawyer and organizer pf the banned ANC (African National Congress Party). He was acquited of treason in 1961 but was given a life sentence in 1964, on charges of sabotage and plotting to overthrowing the government. In prison, he became a symbol of unity for the world-wide anti-apartheid movement. In February 1990, he was released, the ban on the ANC having been lifted. In July 1991, he was unopposed and elected as President of the ANC. In 1994, he became (the first black) President of South Africa , marking the end of apartheid.