A Christmas in Prison”: Hon. Raphael Nakachinda’s Message from Behind Bars

By Maxwell Shumba 

Christmas is traditionally a season of joy, family, reflection, and renewal. But for Hon. Raphael Mangani Nakachinda, PF/Tonse Alliance Secretary General, Christmas 2025 has unfolded behind prison walls — away from loved ones, freedom, and the warmth that defines the season. From incarceration, Nakachinda has issued a powerful, emotional, and politically charged message that blends faith, suffering, resistance, and a call to national awakening.

His words offer a rare glimpse into life behind bars during the festive season, while also serving as a rallying cry to the opposition, civil society, the church, and the Zambian people at large.

A Season of Gratitude Amid Confinement

Nakachinda begins his message with gratitude. Despite the harsh reality of incarceration, he acknowledges the unwavering support from family, friends, party members, and ordinary citizens who have taken time to visit him and fellow incarcerated comrades. According to him, these visits are more than gestures — they are lifelines that restore hope and strengthen resolve.

He describes prison during Christmas as sombre, heavy, and emotionally draining. While some inmates attempt to embrace the festive mood as a brief escape from the monotony of incarceration, others, including himself, find the season deeply painful. The absence of family, freedom, and dignity weighs heavily, turning Christmas into a time of reflection and quiet sorrow.

Humanity Behind Bars

Yet within this pain, Nakachinda reflects on an unexpected truth: prison reveals humanity in its rawest form. He describes Christmas behind bars as one of the most touching experiences of his life — a place where people of different beliefs, backgrounds, and histories come together in shared vulnerability.

Even without decorations, music, or celebration, the spirit of Christmas manifests through small acts of kindness, shared conversations, and moments of empathy. In such conditions, he observes, memories formed can be as meaningful as those created outside prison — sometimes even more so.

Christmas as a Revolutionary Message

Moving beyond personal experience, Nakachinda reframes Christmas as a revolutionary event, not a commercial holiday. He reminds readers that the birth of Jesus Christ was not about comfort or power, but about disruption — God entering human suffering to uplift the marginalized, challenge injustice, and invert oppressive power structures.

For him, Christ’s birth in a stable symbolizes a new social order where the poor, excluded, and forgotten are placed at the center. Christmas, he argues, should ignite radical love, justice, and action — not complacency.

A Political Call to the Opposition

Addressing the Patriotic Front, the Tonse Alliance, civil society, and the church, Nakachinda urges unity, courage, and strategic reflection. He calls on opposition forces to ensure that this is the last Christmas Zambians endure under what he describes as failed leadership.

He emphasizes that incarceration, injustice, and political persecution should not weaken the opposition’s resolve. Instead, it should sharpen their commitment to being “the only hope for the hopeless,” particularly for those imprisoned unjustly and denied justice in a broken system.

Criticism of the Current Administration

Nakachinda does not shy away from sharp criticism of the UPND-led government. He accuses the administration of hypocrisy, theft, and performing compassion for cameras while citizens suffer. In his view, the government represents a “brutal dictatorship disguised in democratic robes,” sustained by secrecy and fear rather than accountability.

He warns those he claims have betrayed the cause of liberation that time will catch up with them, reinforcing his belief that truth and justice cannot be suppressed indefinitely.

Media, Truth, and the Fight Against Oppression

One of the strongest themes in his message is the role of the media. Nakachinda describes free media as the most powerful weapon against dictatorship. He calls on journalists and media institutions to stand firm, expose truth, and shine light on abuses of power.

According to him, dictators thrive in darkness and secrecy, but accountability flourishes where truth is fearless and visible.

Looking Toward 2026

As Zambia edges closer to the 2026 general elections, Nakachinda frames the coming year as decisive. He urges his allies to prepare, reorganize, and remain resilient despite intimidation and obstacles. Using vivid imagery, he likens the struggle to a battle between light and darkness — one that requires unity, truth, and unwavering courage.

A Message to Family and Supporters

In closing, Nakachinda speaks directly to his family, acknowledging the pain of separation while assuring them of his spiritual presence. To his party and comrades, he offers a “Revolutionary Christmas” greeting, affirming that the struggle continues.

Conclusion: Faith, Resistance, and Hope

Hon. Raphael Nakachinda’s “Christmas in Prison” is more than a personal reflection — it is a political manifesto, a spiritual meditation, and a protest against injustice. Whether one agrees with his politics or not, his message captures a moment in Zambia’s history where faith, power, suffering, and resistance intersect.

As he reminds the nation, Christmas is not about comfort for the powerful, but hope for the weary, justice for the oppressed, and courage for those willing to stand.

Aluta Continua.