Nelson Mandela (July 18, 1918 \u2013 December 5, 2013) was a South African freedom fighter who became South Africa’s first democratically elected President (1994 to 1999). His leadership was fundamental in dismantling apartheid, and he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Before his presidency, Mandela was imprisoned for twenty-seven years (1962 to 1990) convicted of crimes such as leaving the country without a passport, and sabotage against the National Party government. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"