Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (/ mænˈdɛlə / man-DEL-ə, [1] Xhosa: [xolíɬaɬa mandɛ̂ːla]; born Rolihlahla Mandela; 18 July – 5 December ) was a South African anti-apartheid activist and statesman who was the first president of South Africa from to He was the country's first Black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His.