Christopher Torchia

Read the latest stories and analysis from Christopher Torchia.

In this photo taken Wedensday, Jan. 16, 2014 a new, 9-meter (29.5-foot) sculpture of Nelson Mandela, with a barely visible sculpted rabbit tucked inside one of the bronze ears. The statue is billed as the biggest statue of the South African leader. Officials want the miniature bunny removed from the statue, which was unveiled outside the government complex in Pretoria, the capital, on Dec. 16, a day after Mandela's funeral. (AP Photo)

Quirky bunny on Mandela statue causes stir

Christopher Torchia · January 22, 2014 3:31 pm

SAfrica: officials tied to bogus interpreter quit

SAfrica: officials tied to bogus interpreter quit

Christopher Torchia · January 21, 2014 2:46 pm

Nelson Mandela remains in serious but stable condition

Nelson Mandela remains in serious but stable condition

Christopher Torchia · June 10, 2013 4:00 am

This cartoon supplied by the artist depicts South Africa president Jacob Zuma, left, holding a clothes hanger from which the once robust former president nelson Mandela dangles limply, eyelids sagging. This cartoon by Dov Fedler , which appeared last month, makes light of a visit Zuma, had with Mandela. After the encounter at Mandela's home, Zuma cheerily said the 94-year-old was up and about, in good spirits and doing well. But the images carried by state TV showed Mandela sitting with a blanket covering his legs, silent and unmoving with his cheeks showing what appear to be marks from a recently removed oxygen mask. Mandela did not acknowledge Zuma, who sat right next to Mandela. The footage unsettled some viewers who considered the visit to be a stunt to make Zuma look good. The ANC insisted it had no ulterior motive ahead of elections next year, and that it was only showing respect for a living national treasure. (AP Photo/Dov Fedler) SOUTH AFRICA OUT

South Africa: Mandela name pulled into politics

Christopher Torchia · May 20, 2013 4:00 am

South Africa: Man charges elephant

South Africa: Man charges elephant

Christopher Torchia · May 14, 2013 2:39 pm

Rift over Mandela companies deepens

Rift over Mandela companies deepens

Christopher Torchia · April 17, 2013 6:30 pm

South African troops to join new UN force in Congo

South African troops to join new UN force in Congo

Christopher Torchia · April 8, 2013 3:30 pm

An ambulance believed to be transporting former president Nelson Mandela arrives at the home of Mandela in Johannesburg, Saturday, April 6, 2013. The South African Presidency has confirmed that Mandela has been discharged after spending nine days in hospital in Pretoria. Spokesman Mac Maharaj says the elder statesman was discharged, "following a sustained and gradual improvement in his general condition," and thanked all South Africans and people around the world for their support. He says Mandela will now receive home based high care. Mandela was admitted to hospital on March 27 with pneumonia. Since then the 94-year-old former statesman has had fluid drained from his lungs to ease his breathing. (AP Photo)

South Africa: Mandela discharged from the hospital

Christopher Torchia · April 6, 2013 4:00 am

South Africa: 5 killed in helicopter crash

South Africa: 5 killed in helicopter crash

Christopher Torchia · March 31, 2013 11:03 am

A child looks through a fence at a portrait of former president Nelson Mandela in a Park in Soweto, South Africa, Thursday, March, 28, 2013. 94-year-old Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader who became South Africa's first black president, has been hit by a lung infection again and is in a hospital, the presidency said. Mandela, has become increasingly frail in recent years and has been hospitalized several times in recent months, including earlier this month when he underwent what authorities said was a scheduled medical test. The Nobel laureate is a revered figure in South Africa, which has honored his legacy of reconciliation by naming buildings and other places after him and printing his image on national banknotes. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

SAfrica: Mandela responds positively to treatment

Christopher Torchia · March 28, 2013 4:00 am

C. African Republic president flees to Cameroon

Rukmini Callimachi, Christopher Torchia · March 25, 2013 12:00 am

FILE - In this June 17, 2010 file photo, former South African President Nelson Mandela leaves the chapel after attending the funeral of his great-granddaughter Zenani Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa. South Africa's presidency says Mandela was admitted to a hospital for a scheduled medical check-up, Saturday, March 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Siphiwe Sibeko, Pool, File)

South Africa: Mandela in hospital for tests

Christopher Torchia · March 9, 2013 5:00 am