Who was the first black president of South Africa who helped to end apartheid?

• A. Desmond Tutu
• B. Nelson Mandela
• C. Thabo Mbeki
• D. Jacob Zuma

Answer: (B)

Nelson Mandela played a central role in ending apartheid and becoming South Africa's first black president. He spent decades with the African National Congress resisting the system of racial segregation and endured 27 years in prison, which helped rally international support and keep pressure on the government for reform. After his release in 1990, he helped lead negotiations to dismantle apartheid and build a multiracial democracy. His commitment to reconciliation and inclusive elections led to the landmark 1994 vote, making him president and guiding the country through a peaceful transition. Desmond Tutu was a vital moral voice who helped expose abuses and chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, but he did not become president. Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma later served as presidents, but Mandela's presidency marked the end of apartheid and the start of a new era for South Africa.