In 1994, the African National Congress won South Africa's first fully democratic national elections after the end of apartheid. Under whose leadership did the African National Congress achieve this historic victory?

Introduction / Context:
The 1994 elections in South Africa are a landmark in modern world history and in the history of democracy. These elections marked the official end of the apartheid system and allowed citizens of all races to vote on an equal basis. The African National Congress, or ANC, emerged as the winning party and formed the new government. This question asks you to identify the leader who guided the ANC to this famous victory and then became the symbol of the new South Africa.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The year is 1994, immediately after the end of apartheid.
• The party mentioned is the African National Congress (ANC).
• The event is South Africa's first fully democratic national election.
• We are asked to name the leader of the ANC at that time.

Concept / Approach:
To answer this question, you need to connect the anti apartheid struggle, the ANC, and its most famous leader. Nelson Mandela spent many years in prison for opposing apartheid and later became the key figure in negotiations that led to a peaceful transition to democracy. Thabo Mbeki, Desmond Tutu, and F. W. de Klerk also played important roles in South African history, but in different capacities. By recalling that Mandela became South Africa's first black President after the 1994 election, you can confidently identify him as the leader under whom the ANC won.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that apartheid was a system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced in South Africa for many decades.Step 2: The African National Congress was the main political organization leading the struggle against apartheid.Step 3: Nelson Mandela, a senior ANC leader, became a global symbol of resistance due to his long imprisonment and his commitment to reconciliation.Step 4: In 1994, when South Africa held its first fully democratic national elections, the ANC, led by Nelson Mandela, won a majority.Step 5: Mandela then became the first President of democratic South Africa, confirming that he was the leader mentioned in the question.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify your answer by recalling images or descriptions from books and documentaries showing long queues of South Africans voting for the first time and Nelson Mandela being sworn in as President. History texts often state that the ANC, under Mandela's leadership, transformed from a liberation movement into the governing party. Thabo Mbeki later succeeded Mandela as President, Desmond Tutu served as an Archbishop and moral leader, and F. W. de Klerk was the last President of the apartheid era who negotiated the transition but did not lead the ANC.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Thabo Mbeki was an important ANC leader and later became President, but he did not lead the party to its first victory in 1994 as the main public figure.
Desmond Tutu was a respected church leader and human rights activist who opposed apartheid but was not the political head of the ANC.
F. W. de Klerk was the last apartheid era President of South Africa and belonged to the National Party, not to the African National Congress.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students may confuse the roles of different South African leaders, especially because several of them worked together during the transition. Another common error is to think of de Klerk when reading about 1994, because he was still an important administrator during the transition period. To avoid such confusion, remember that Nelson Mandela represents the face of the ANC's victory in 1994 and is widely recognized worldwide as the leader of the new democratic South Africa.

Final Answer:
The African National Congress won the 1994 South African elections under the leadership of Nelson Mandela.