South Africa lost, in President Jacob Zuma’s words, “its greatest son” on Dec. 5, when Nelson Mandela passed away at 95.

President Zuma’s strong words illustrated Mandela’s global impact as both a political activist and president. Mandela left a legacy of forbearance, emphasizing the importance of reconciliation and cooperation over rancor and revenge.

As a member of the Thembu royal family and a student of law, Mandela made a well-educated and charismatic addition to the anti-apartheid African National Congress from an early age. After moving to Johannesburg, Mandela co-founded the ANC’s Youth League and became active in anti-colonial politics.

After receiving a life sentence and being imprisoned on Robben Island for his anti-government activities, Mandela became the face of the anti-apartheid movement. Twenty-seven years later, in 1990, Mandela was liberated by then President F.W. de Klerk, in order to pursue negotiations to end apartheid and establish multi-racial elections.

After being elected as president in 1994, Mandela led the country out of apartheid with strategy and diplomatic tact, building a multicultural government through dozens of unlikely alliances. As the global community watched on, South Africa peacefully transitioned into multicultural leadership, becoming an economic and political symbol of African stability and progress.

Mandela led with grace and dignity, and his legacy is simply too large for words. Despite the political disunion and gridlock that stymied progress during his term as president, Mandela thought of himself as a shepherd and tirelessly led the people of South Africa, moving on to become a moral compass for the nation.

In my year living in South Africa, I learned that (on a global level) it was Mandela’s absence of hate that was possibly his greatest lesson. After being viewed as a second-class citizen and imprisoned by his government, Mandela was able to view all South Africans as one united people, moving beyond racism and revenge in order to better the lives of his fellow South Africans.

Even today, some of my closest friends feel his influence and are motivated by his legacy of political optimism and tenacity. Jaco Bothma, a young Afrikanner and student of diplomatic international affairs wrote to me on Friday, saying “No words. Only tears.”

In one of his most famous quotes, Mandela showed that he overlooked the emotional aspects of hate, viewing it instead as a strategic challenge and an obstacle to overcome. In his universal message of hope, patience and endurance, Mandela became not only an enigmatic South African political leader, but a global symbol for compromise and progress.