Nelson Mandela was born in 1918 in South Africa. He fought against apartheid policies that discriminated against black South Africans. He was imprisoned for 27 years for his anti-apartheid activities. While in prison, international pressure grew calling for his release. He was eventually freed in 1990 and helped dismantle apartheid as the first black President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. Mandela continues to be an important figure in fighting AIDS and poverty in Africa.