Prosper Ndlovu, recently in Moscow, Russia
THE scale of Russia’s capital hits you even before you get into Moscow’s city centre.
The drive from the airport reveals an expansive urban landscape defined by multi-lane boulevards, impressive infrastructure, clearly marked roads and an orderly flow of traffic. Commercial and industrial developments stretch along major routes, while motorists observe designated turning points and pedestrians use marked crossings.
For us as a Zimbabwean delegation accustomed to the hustle and bustle of urban transport, particularly the unpredictability of commuter omnibus operations, the experience was an immediate culture shock.
Surveillance cameras at intersections, designated parking spaces and strict road-use regulations reinforce the sense of order. It is a city where public movement appears carefully planned and monitored.
However, Moscow’s organisation goes beyond its roads. The city is built upwards with high-rise residential developments, shopping centres, recreational facilities and commercial spaces integrated into neighbourhoods. Rather than having everyone converge on one central business district for their daily needs, many residential communities have their own shopping malls, restaurants, leisure facilities and parks.
This urban planning approach helps explain the efficiency of the public transport system. Buses, electric trains, underground rail networks and high-speed trains connect different parts of the country, offering residents and visitors several transport options. Our journey aboard the Sapsan high-speed train to St Petersburg provided a glimpse of the country’s investment in modern rail transport.
The trains were efficient, quiet, comfortable and punctual, while the underground network made movement around Moscow relatively convenient.
The streets were generally clean during our visit, with pedestrian movement channelled through designated crossings and underground passages. Street vending, which is a familiar feature of many African cities, was not prominent in the areas we visited.
Tourism here blends business and leisure with competitive pricing for accommodation and food, a variety of transport options and local Russian cuisine. However, navigating the city was not always straightforward. Our first major challenge was the language barrier.
A group visit to a nearby shop to buy food quickly turned into a lesson in the realities of travelling in a country where English is not widely used in everyday commercial interactions.
Almost everything was labelled in Russian and the shop attendants communicated in their local language. We spoke English, they responded in Russian and both sides resorted to gestures and pointing to make purchases.
It was a similar experience when we went shopping for clothes at a mall. One member of the delegation picked a jacket but struggled to explain his size or ask for another colour.
In Russia, the local language is crucial to everyday life, business and official engagements. For visitors who do not speak Russian, even simple transactions can become complicated.
The use of the Russian rouble was equally prominent in our daily transactions, with foreign currency not serving as a convenient alternative for ordinary purchases.
For Zimbabwe, which continues to promote the use of its local currency and strengthen domestic production, the experience offered a real glimpse into how national economic sovereignty can be reflected in everyday commercial life.
Technology, however, came to our rescue. Several members of the delegation downloaded translation applications that convert spoken and written English into Russian and vice versa.
In taxis, we would speak into our phones and play the translated message to drivers. For room service, we typed our requests and showed the translated text to hotel staff.
The applications helped, although communication remained slow and sometimes awkward.
Our biggest breakthrough came through Zimbabwean students studying in Russia.
We quickly learnt that engaging local Zimbabwean students as informal tour guides made life considerably easier. They understood the language, knew the city and could help us navigate everyday transactions.
One student who became valuable to our delegation was Dean Dzvairo, a Zimbabwean medical student who has been studying in Russia for five years.
He explained that he spent a year learning Russian before beginning his medical studies.
From the first day, Dean helped us explore shopping centres, acquire local SIM cards, download virtual private network applications for connectivity and use Russian applications to book taxis.
He also helped us understand aspects of Russian life that would otherwise have remained difficult to navigate. Without his assistance, simple activities could have consumed hours of our time.
Beyond the infrastructure and technology, one of the most striking features of Moscow was the prominence given to national heritage.
Historical figures and people who contributed to Russia’s development are commemorated through monuments, memorials and public spaces.
Generals, writers, scientists, cosmonauts and industrial workers are among those honoured, with their names and achievements reflected in streets, railway stations, parks and other public facilities.
History is therefore not confined to museums or school textbooks. It is visible in the everyday environment, serving as a constant reminder of the country’s past and the people who shaped it.
For Zimbabwe, which is implementing a Heritage-Based Education model, this offers an interesting point of reflection. Heritage-based education seeks to connect learning with the country’s history, identity, values and development aspirations. Russia’s visible preservation of its historical figures and national milestones demonstrates how heritage can also be embedded in public spaces and national consciousness.
Dean also shared his observations about the Russian education system, particularly its emphasis on practical learning, student participation and problem-solving.
He described an environment where students are encouraged to debate, engage with practical challenges and develop solutions relevant to society.
This resonates with Zimbabwe’s Education 5.0 philosophy, which places innovation, industrialisation and community impact alongside teaching, research and community service.
The lesson is that education must ultimately translate into solutions that improve people’s lives and contribute to national development.
Another striking feature of Russia is the extent to which technology has been integrated into everyday commercial activity. Digital self-service shopping is normal.
Digital self-service shopping is common in some establishments, where customers can scan products, make payments and leave without interacting with a shop attendant.
Online shopping and home delivery are also part of the retail experience, while electronic payments have become a familiar feature of daily transactions.
We also observed the prominence of Russian-developed digital platforms and services, reflecting the country’s efforts to strengthen domestic technological capacity amid restrictions affecting access to some Western platforms.
Russia’s industrial and processing infrastructure was another notable feature of our visit. The country has invested heavily in manufacturing, technology and domestic production, although the extent of self-sufficiency varies across sectors.
This is particularly relevant to Zimbabwe’s industrialisation agenda, which seeks to increase local production, strengthen value chains and reduce dependence on imported goods.
The bigger lesson is the importance of developing local capacity, investing in technology and ensuring that industrial growth is supported by skilled people and reliable infrastructure.
Travelling to Russia also came with questions about the country’s ongoing war with Ukraine and how the conflict was affecting ordinary life.
From the areas we visited in Moscow, everyday activities appeared to be continuing largely as normal.
Businesses were operating, people were shopping and public spaces were active. Preparations for the festive season were also beginning, with decorations and Christmas trees being installed in shopping centres and public squares.
For visitors whose impressions of Russia had largely been shaped by international news coverage of the war, this was a different perspective.
However, the security presence was a reminder that the country is operating under intensified security conditions.
At hotels, railway stations and other key public facilities, security checks were a routine feature.
Bags were scanned, visitors passed through screening points and surveillance systems were visible.
One of the more frustrating experiences was internet connectivity. At times, connectivity interruptions affected access to online maps and translation applications, particularly when we were away from hotel Wi-Fi.
These experiences offered a reminder that the impact of geopolitical tensions can extend beyond the battlefield and influence everyday technology and communication.
For Zimbabwe, the Moscow experience provided several points of reflection.
While Russia’s experience is not necessarily a model that can be copied wholesale, given the differences in the two countries’ economies, resources and circumstances, there are useful lessons in how national priorities can be reflected in infrastructure, public services, education and technological development.
As our visit came to an end, we left Moscow with more than photographs and memories of its impressive infrastructure.
We also carried two particularly useful things saved on our phones: an artificial intelligence-powered translation application stocked with Russian phrases and the contact details of the Zimbabwean student who had made our stay easier. Dean’s number was saved collectively as
“Moscow Brother – Dean”.
