Lebo M addresses $27m lawsuit against comedian Learnmore Jonasi after court fee ruling
Lebo M breaks his silence on the dismissed lawsuit against comedian Learnmore Jonasi.
South African composer Lebo M has ended his legal battle with Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi over a joke about the opening chant in Disney's The Lion King. According to a statement from Lebo M Productions, dated 20 October 2026, the lawsuit was dismissed. The company also mentioned a court order from the US District Court requiring Lebo M to pay Jonasi $39,560 in attorney fees.
The controversy began in February 2026 when Jonasi joked during an appearance on the One54 Africa podcast that the Zulu lyrics "Nants' Ingonyama" meant "Look, there's a lion. Oh my god." Lebo M, the producer of The Lion King, disagreed with this interpretation and believed the lyrics had significant cultural meaning. He subsequently filed a $27 million lawsuit in California, accusing Jonasi of defamation and trademark infringement, with the amount reflecting Nelson Mandela's 27 years in prison.
Jonasi's legal team attempted to challenge the lawsuit using California's anti-SLAPP law, which aims to protect speech deemed protected. However, the case was withdrawn and dismissed in July 2026. The US District Court awarded Jonasi $39,560 in attorney fees on 28 August 2026 under California Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16(c).
Lebo M Productions confirmed the payment of the fee in full, but noted that the court did not grant the additional $91,000 sought by Jonasi through a proposed multiplier. The company stated that the case was withdrawn without prejudice, meaning it could potentially be brought again. They also alleged that a former legal representative made unauthorized submissions to the court, though this was not confirmed as a judicial finding.
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