London - The build-up to Braai4Heritage on National Heritage Day goes international this weekend, as head of the Braai4Heritage initiative Jan Scannell and ambassador Dan Nicholl head to England for a week of braaing with South Africans abroad, with a mass South African braai in London on Saturday, September 4 the highlight of the trip.

New South African restaurant Shaka Zulu in Camden will host Saturday’s celebration, as Scannell and Nicholl look to take to London some of the energy surrounding the build-up to what’s affectionately become known as National Braai Day.

“South Africans in London are incredibly patriotic people, and we want to make sure that on September 24, they’re celebrating our amazing country round the fire, just as we will be back home,” explains Scannell.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the patron of Braai4Heritage, has again lent his full support to the campaign, saying last week that “we at Braai4Heritage, are calling on all South Africans everywhere to salute our heritage by having a braai on September 24. It’s such a wonderful and perfect way to celebrate our beautiful nation, because we all love a braai.” The support of the Archbishop has added to the excitement about a day spent round the fire in celebration of being South African, and awareness of Braai4Heritage will only grow once the London trip is completed, as several high profile South Africans will be joining Scannell and Nicholl on their week-long trip to England.

“I caught up with (Springbok hooker) Schalk Brits at the Open Championship in July, and mentioned Braai4Heritage; 10 minutes later, we had a braai confirmed with the Saracens rugby team, which is full of South African players,” Nicholl reveals.

“We’ll be joining the guys at Saracens captain Ernst Joubert’s house on Sunday, and then on Tuesday we’ll head up to Bath to braai with Luke Watson, Pieter Dixon, Michael Claassens, and some of the other Bath players. And we’re also hoping to catch up with Bafana star Kagisho Dikgacoi, depending on his commitments at Fulham.”

There’ll also be a couple of braais with media in London, but it’s Saturday’s big get-together at Shaka Zulu that serves as the centrepiece of the trip.

“We’ve already had so much interest in Braai4Heritage from South Africans in London, so going over was an easy decision,” says Scannell.

“If we’re going to successfully create a South African St. Patrick’s Day, and have our countrymen all over the world braaing on the same day, then we have to start with London, and the huge community we have there.”

And luckily for Scannell and Nicholl, one crucial element has fallen in to place to set up a perfect day of chisa nyama.

“Shaka Zulu have put on a braai buffet, and will have South African beers on special all day, but the crucial addition is the rugby,” Nicholl laughs.

“We have the Springbok v Wallaby game on the big screen, so all we need is a Tri-Nations win, and we’ll have the perfect South African day in London!”

And Nicholl suggests there’s a good chance that the Boks will win again on Saturday – and it all comes down to braaing.

“Jan and I fly back to Cape Town on Thursday night next week, in time for a braai with Bryan Habana on the Friday,” Nicholl reveals.

“I’ve told him that a win gets him Jan’s trademark seared fillet and secret recipe wors, but if the team loses, it’s vegetarian burgers and tofu sausages. That should guarantee a South African victory!”

However the rugby goes, there’ll be plenty of celebration on London on Saturday, as a precursor to September 24, and Braai4Heritage on National Heritage Day, and with high-profile South Africans in England lending their support to the campaign, the aim of having fires lit and people enjoying a braai all over the world looks set to gather plenty of momentum in the coming week.

The South African braai on Saturday, September 4 takes place at Shaka Zulu, Chalk Farm Road, Camden, from 12:00; visit www.shaka-zulu.com or www.braai4heritage.co.za for more information.