The sounds of Africa came to central Norwich on Saturday to celebrate the launch of a new charity to help HIV orphans and disadvantaged children in Zimbabwe.

The Mudeka Foundation, set up by Norfolk-based Zimbabwean musician Anna Mudeka, aims to help children in the Harare area of the south-East African country.

The charity was given its official launch in Hay Hill between 1pm and 3pm on Saturday with two Norfolk groups, Dumisani African drummers and dancers and Broads Vocal Harmony, provide the entertainment to entice people towards reading the information about the charity that was on offer.

Miss Mudeka, from Southburgh, near Dereham, and her fellow Mudeka Foundation trustees spoke to people about the aims of the charity and their trip to Zimbabwe in March, where they visited the schools and children that they support.

Miss Mudeka said: 'My old primary school in Harare has 1,500 students of whom a third are Aids orphans. They desperately need our help as only 70 of the orphans are supported by the state.

'We also visited two secondary schools including Muda, a two-hour drive from Harare. The school is in a small building with no glass in the windows and no equipment – just four benches. Of the 35 students only five have two parents.

'We are keen to develop a project to equip this school, as well as provide financial support for the students to pay their school fees and buy a school uniform.'

Miss Mudeka's annual Southburgh World Music Festival is being held on Saturday, July 28, featuring music from Brazil, eastern Europe, Senegal, Zimbabwe and the UK, to raise money for the charity.

A sponsored walk along the Norfolk Coast Path is also being held, between Thursday, August 23 and Monday, August 27. If you would like to take part you can apply for a sponsor form at mudekafoundation@gmail.com

For more information about the charity, go to www.mudekafoundation.com

- To see more video of the drumming and dancing, click the link at the top-right of this page.

- Are you organising an event in Norwich? Contact reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or david.freezer@archant.co.uk