(1918–2013), South African statesman, president 1994–99; full name Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 as an activist for the African National Congress (ANC). Released in 1990, as leader of the ANC, he engaged in talks on the introduction of majority rule with President F. W. de Klerk. He became the country's first democratically elected president in 1994, serving until 1999. Nobel Peace Prize (1993), shared with de Klerk.