Message Man: Remembering Akwila is a journey into the life and legacy of Akwila Simpasa, the Zambian artist who conceived the nation’s Freedom Statue, yet whose name slipped from its story.
Through personal reflection, archival fragments, and the firsthand testimony of Michael Siegel, the American who lived alongside Akwila in 1973 and preserved his original sketches for more than forty years, this book reconstructs a story that nearly disappeared. It explores not only the man behind the work, but also the broader questions of authorship, memory, and the subtle ways history can be altered, reshaped, or forgotten.
Set against the backdrop of a newly independent nation finding its identity, the narrative moves between past and present, drawing connections between art, politics, and the human search for belonging.
At its heart, this is an act of remembrance, a restoration of voice, and a reflection on the stories we inherit, the histories we shape, and the people whose contributions deserve to be remembered.
Author Bio
Sungwe Siwale is a Zambian-born author and global professional whose work explores memory, identity, resilience, and personal transformation.
In Message Man: Remembering Akwila, he brings to light the remarkable story of artist and visionary Akwila Simpasa, restoring a legacy that deserves to be remembered.
He is also the author of Crossing Lines.