AFRICANS IN RUSSIA: WADA SOULSTRESS

March 31, 2022
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What is your full name? (Brief introduction)

My name is Wada Amantle Lesego Mapiki. I’m from Botswana but I currently live in Moscow.

Nice! What do you think a random person might find interesting about Botswana?

I’d say the Safaris are something you wouldn’t want to pass up on. Our love for meat (beef) is unmatched! I’ve met non-Batswana that are surprised we experience winter in Botswana (May-July). And the people of Botswana are a relatively kind/respectable people (if I may say so myself)…

How is life in Botswana different from life in Russia?

The weather is definitely a notable difference. Botswana is hot most of the year. Life in Botswana is more laid back I’d say. It’s an English speaking country, so it is easier to live in for me.

How would you describe yourself right now? (What do you do?)

I’d describe myself as a pretty simple girl in the pursuit of happiness and nothing more. I’m a singer here in Moscow. On one hand I’m a vocalist in a jazz band, and on the other hand a recording artist.

What and where did you study and what inspired you to do music?

I studied Mining Engineering and specialised in ‘Survey ‘ at the RUDN University. I graduated in 2018. With music, I can’t say I was specifically inspired by anything. It was almost a natural God-given thing I just grew up doing. The decision to actually pursue it seriously was almost not by choice either- I was always naturally pulled towards that direction.

You released a song recently. How was that experience for you?

With my recent release ‘Fela’- I wrote it back in 2016 actually. I was living in the hostel, doing a difficult engineering course and going through a break up… It was just a horrible time. I recorded it in Botswana 3 years later (2019). The time, the energy was just right to finally record and express my feelings. The experience of putting it out and seeing it received and shared, performing it with a live audience- all of that has been extremely rewarding and humbling.

How do you feel about the African community in Russia? Would you describe yourself as a social person?

For someone who’s been here for 10 years now, I’d say the African community has definitely grown tremendously! People aren’t as close with each other as before… I guess because the community has grown so large.

Also we are still segregated according to the different languages we speak (English, French, Portuguese, etc). I’d describe myself as an ambivert (social and antisocial, introvert and extrovert all in one ). Depends on which day you catch me😉.

What’s your advice to people who want to pursue their talents officially?

For people who want to pursue their talents officially… Man, this question deserves a whole interview on its own, because it is hard. But all I can say is that you need to dangerously, wholeheartedly believe in yourself before anyone else and constantly see yourself as how God sees you.

What is the most annoying thing about living and working in Moscow?

The most annoying thing about living in Moscow, wow… Just being a foreigner is hard overall . The cold weather… The Russian language isn’t my strongest trait either. Renewal of visas every year… I could go on and on.

How do you navigate relationships here in Russia, especially romantic ones?

I think I’ve really gone past navigating friendships. I’m blessed enough to still have the ones from back. They have been easy with a strong foundation.

With romantic relationships, it’s obviously more challenging because you meet people from different countries, so people come and go, they have to return to their respective countries, or whatever the case , so it makes it more difficult I’d say to have something substantial.

What principles do you have as a young black woman creating a name for herself in the music industry?

My principles as a person in general, not even as an artist, is really just to be kind. Also focus- focusing on finding my bigger purpose on earth and understanding what I was brought on earth to do. Staying in my lane, that’s a principle too.

How do you choose your friends? What is the most attractive quality in people you’re close to?

I don’t think I chose my friends. God really just threw them in my face everyday until I discovered they were really meant to be mine. They are all a gift. The most attractive quality in my friends I’d say, is that they are genuinely good people to the core, like humanly good— and really funny. And I love to laugh.

What can you say is the biggest achievement of your life so far, and which values got you here?

My biggest achievement so far I’d say is becoming the first Botswana graduate in Mining from RUDN. That’s something I’m proud of. But pursuing happiness everyday is also an achievement. Keeping the friends and family I have is an achievement. Receiving love from different parts of Africa is an achievement. Seeing God’s grace everyday is an undeserving achievement.

Some questions we gathered from your fans:

How did you make it from an immigrant to a well celebrated musician in Russia and its environs?

Well, it all started from my university really. I’d perform at almost every African event/show in RUDN , then slowly progressed to events outside school. I was actually blessed enough to be one of the opening acts for Skales , Timaya & Kiss Daniel when they had their shows here. Then started being featured on a few artists’ projects , then I guess the word spread.