Russian Language is 'Superpower' & 'Lifestyle'

The popularity of the Russian language in Africa is growing, and it is an advantage to know it because there are quite a few foreigners out there who have a good command of it. It feels like having a superpower, Ms. Kutemba Falanga, a former Russian graduate at Belgorod National Research University and translator for the Russian Embassy in Zambia, says.

"[Russian], it's one of the main languages in the world. When someone gets to realize to say, ‘So you can speak Russian'; it's an advantage to you because there are quite a few people out there who are able to grasp and learn the language. […] I feel like it's a superpower to speak Russian," she explains.

According to Ms. Falanga, what helped her learn the language quickly were extracurricular activities such as singing for the university, which sparked her curiosity to understand the lyrics of the songs.

"I was singing for the university, so I ended up even singing in Russian. Because I would literally sing in Russian without even fully understanding what I'm singing about, but it helped me to learn new words and pronunciations, and it made me curious to know: What am I singing about?" she says.

Similarly, Mr. Harold Mabula, Education Affairs and Liaison Manager at the Russian House in Zambia, underscores the importance of Russian cultural immersion in language learning. He believes that language learning becomes a ‘lifestyle,’ emphasizing the need to integrate the language into daily life.

"I learned that a language is a lifestyle […] I would recommend that somebody finds an entry point to the cultural aspects of Russian culture that will help you to have and enhance your interest in the language," he notes.

Mr. Mabula points out that these are very interesting times we're living in, especially in terms of the relationship between Russia and Africa.

"We're seeing more and more of Russia, increasing its involvement and its activities in Africa, trying to enrich or strengthen the relationship between African countries. There is more reason than ever before for young Africans to learn the language and take an interest in Russia so that we can take this relationship to another level," he says.

Also featured in this episode:

Alina Slepushkina, a Russian language teacher at the Russian House in Zambia, emphasizes the importance of learning not only the language itself but also its history and the history of Russia.

David Oktapuma, Chairman of the Board of the Development and Cooperation for Africa (DevCA) initiative, highlights Russia’s role as a key driver of the multipolar world order. He suggests that learning Russian, the language of this key driver, offers significant benefits.

Svetlana Kovaleva, Head of the Russian House in Zambia, recommends following the social media accounts of Russian ministries, organizations, institutions, and even NGOs. She notes that these platforms offer a wide range of programs, many of which are free, and that Russian language students become informal ambassadors of the language.

Discover more insights from our guests on the Russian Essence podcast, proudly presented by Sputnik Africa.

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