Explore Robben Island Prison, the site of Nelson Mandela's 18-year incarceration, pay a visit to the Capture Site, and indulge in his favorite foods.  He was born Rolihlahla Mandela. Rolihlahla is a Tembu name that meaning "pulling the branch of a tree or troublemaker" in Xhosa. On his first day of elementary school, his teacher gave him the moniker "Nelson" because she couldn't pronounce his own name. And thus the world remembers nelson mandela (1918–2013), the first Black president of South Africa, recipient of the Nobel Peace prize, and well-known opponent of apartheid.

Mandela was given a life sentence in jail in 1964 for his role in a plot to topple the apartheid government in South Africa. For 18 of his 27 years in jail, he was housed on Robben Island; his prison number, 46664, came from the fact that he was the 466th inmate in 1964.

Known by his nickname Madiba, nelson mandela was the recipient of over 695 honors, including the Nobel Peace prize in 1993. nelson mandela is the name of over 25 schools, colleges, and other educational establishments; he is also the name of at least 19 foundations and scholarships. He has been the subject of more than 95 sculptures, statues, and works of art, the most well-known of which is the 9-foot bronze statue, which is the first representation of a Black person in parliament Square.

July 18 is nelson mandela Day.

Since July 18 is Nelson Mandela's birthday, the day is observed annually. This year, the subject is "Joining hands, connecting communities."

These are the six must-see locations on the nelson mandela route if you happen to be in South Africa.

Province of the Western Cape's Robben Island:

Together with 3,000 other political prisoners, nelson mandela served 18 of his 27-year prison term in this notorious facility on the island in an effort to abolish apartheid.

Travel: Adult non-South Africans must pay an entrance fee of ZAR 1,400 (INR 6,360).

The Drakenstein Correctional Centre in the Western Cape province is home to the nelson mandela Statue, one of several locations that holds a significant portion of Mandela's life story. nelson mandela served the final 14 months of his 27-year prison term at a home located on this land. In 1990, Madiba also left Drakenstein Correctional Centre through its gates as a free man.