Jammin N Ting

Jammin N Ting (or simply J&T) is a three-day music and art festival happening every year at Easter in Naledi Village, Free State. The festival aims to promote the best of African and African-inspired music, as well as providing guests with a welcoming break from the urban lifestyle. Naledi Village is located at the foothills of the Maluti Mountains on the border of Lesotho, which provides a hard-to-forget backdrop to the entire festival experience. Guests are free to visit nearby caves, visit the iconic hole in the wall and sangoma valley or observe the free-roaming animals at Thaba Thabo game reserve. The name of the festival comes from lyrics in a classic reggae tune by the old school duo Althea & Donna and simply means being out partying and having a good time

The residents of Naledi have behind them many years’ experience working to put on festivals. Rustlers Valley, the owners of the land on which Naledi village sits, pioneered the festival scene in South Africa, organizing festivals for over two decades. The people of Naledi, alongside those at Rustlers Valley, were the backbone of the festivals and the running of Rustlers Valley guest lodge. Sadly the majority of the buildings at Rustlers Valley burned down in 2007 and the lodge stopped functioning as a business, leaving the residents of Naledi largely without work and income. Using their skills and knowledge, the people of Naledi are working hard to create a living for themselves. With the amazing location of the village in a valley surrounded by sandstone mountains and the spectacular reputation of Rustlers Valley festivals, the first steps were taken towards creating a new event focusing on African heritage, music and culture, while giving the people of Naledi the opportunity to use and develop their skills to improve their standard of living.

Things have been progressing naturally since the first festival and the establishment of Naledi Cultural Village NPO is in the process, with Jammin n’Ting being the organisation's biggest project. Having been involved with the Rustlers Valley music scene since 1993, UK-based DJ Manello Funkikora has been developing a vision for African artists to have a place where they can connect while supporting rural development in South Africa. The sixth edition of the festival in 2015 sees J&T, Earthrise and African Freedom Station present Nicky B (Kaya FM), Leomile, Fly Machine Sessions, A-FRYK-YA and many more artists and DJs from South Africa, Lesotho and further afield.