The African National Congress (ANC) is a political party in South Africa, founded in 1912. It was established to fight for the rights of black South Africans and to oppose the system of apartheid, which enforced racial segregation. The ANC became the leading force in the struggle against apartheid, advocating for equality and justice. In 1994, after years of resistance and negotiation, the ANC won South Africa's first democratic elections, leading to the election of Nelson Mandela as the country's first black president. The ANC has since played a significant role in shaping South Africa's political landscape, focusing on issues like economic development and social justice.