Raynes Park and Harare might not be two peas in a pod culturally speaking but Zimfest, the celebration of Zimbabwean music, food and sport, is now a firmly established annual event, writes Chris Elcombe.

Bringing a bit of southern Africa to Merton, the festival was set up in 2001 by a group of Zimbabwean ex-pats, who were concerned about the situation in their homeland and wanted to raise money for WeZimbabwe, a development charity.

It started in a field behind Wandsworth prison but has since spread to Canada, Australia, South Africa and Zimbabwe itself, while all while growing year-on-year in London in the meantime.

"We had 500 to 800 people in the early years but last year we topped 5,000," says the festival’s Sylvester Mutsigwa.

"It’s been really growing and this year we’ve got corporate sponsorship.

"It’s been tremendous and we’ve raised over £150,000 so far."

Alongside the beer, braai (Afrikaans for barbecue) and football and rugby competitions, ten hours of live music will run on two stages.

The majority of the acts have a Zimbabwean component at their heart, although most are based in the UK and Europe and reflect an array of musical influences.

Among the headliners are Siyaya Arts, regulars at Glastonbury, who will bring Zimbabwean song, dance and drumming to the party, while Harare combine Zimbabwean urban styles with traditional mbira (thumb-piano) music.

Rockers Mann Friday will play the festival for the sixth time while vocalist Rozalla Miller, who had a top 10 hit with Everybody’s Free in 1991, has also attracted a lot of interest.

The line-up also features local progressive jazzers Tagara Jazz Quartet, singer-songwriter Sahara C, reggae/rap outfit Trenton & Free Radical and much more.

Zimfest London, Prince George’s Playing Fields, Raynes Park, September 5, 12pm start, adults £25, children free, book in advance. Visit zimfestlive.com.