Giving Compass' Take:

• 2018 is the year that Nelson Mandela would have turned 100 years old. In order to honor his memory, Global Citizen compiled a list of Mandela's accomplishments that propelled South Africa forward in terms of social progress. 

• What was his most significant achievement for South Africa? 

• Read about how companies can spur social activism using a creative mindset. 

2018 is the Year of Mandela — the year the independence leader of South Africa would have turned 100 years old. But although Nelson Mandela died in 2013 at the age of 95, his entire life still stands as a testament to the power of the human spirit.

Here are seven ways Nelson Mandela fought for the same values that Global Citizens hold dearly, including women’s empowerment, access to quality education, and the fight against HIV/AIDS.

  1.  He ushered hundreds of women into the political sphere. Though South Africa has work to do to eliminate violence against women and to ensure that women earn the same amount of money as men, Mandela helped set the country on a path toward equality from the very beginning of his career as president.
  2. He joined the fight against HIV/AIDS. In 2000, as the scope of the crisis became overwhelmingly evident, Mandela added his voice to the chorus of activists calling for recognition of the disease and action to prevent it.
  3. He brought education to rural students. In 2007, Mandela founded the Nelson Mandela Institute for Rural Development and Education to train and send high-quality teachers to rural areas.
  4.  He fought for children. During his tenure as president Mandela donated a third of his salary to create the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.
  5. He promoted scientific and environmental education. Mandela so valued the power of science and research that he lent his name to three institutes of technology in Nigeria, Tanzania, and Burkina Faso.
  6. He expanded voting rights to all South Africans. "The Africans require, want the franchise, the basis of One Man One Vote — they want political independence," he said.
  7. He fought for peace and justice around the world.

Read the full article about Nelson Mandela by Phineas Rueckert, and David Brand at Global Citizen