Lebo M Speaks Out After Being Ordered to Pay R640k to Zimbabwean Comedian Learnmore Jonasi's Lawyers
- A US court dismissed Lebo M's $27 million defamation lawsuit against Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi over a Lion King chant
- The court ordered Lebo M to pay roughly R640k in legal fees after Jonasi successfully used California's anti-SLAPP protections
- Lebo M and his legal team released a statement hinting they have not yet ruled out further legal action in the matter
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Source: UGC
Composer and Lion King legend Lebohang "Lebo M" Morake has broken his silence after a US court not only dismissed his defamation case against Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi but also slapped him with a bill of $39,560, roughly R640,000, in legal fees.
The saga began when Lebo M filed a $27 million lawsuit in March at the US District Court for the Central District of California. His grievance centred on comments Jonasi made during an appearance on the ONE45 podcast, where the comedian offered his own interpretation of "Nants' Ingonyama", the celebrated chant from Disney's The Lion King song "Circle of Life". Jonasi stated the phrase meant "look, there's a lion", a reading Lebo M argued amounted to a deliberate mistranslation that damaged his reputation and the cultural legacy tied to his life's work.
The court dismissed the lawsuit on 10 July, and on 28 August 2026 it ordered the fee payment after Jonasi successfully invoked California's anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) statute, a legal provision designed to protect free expression from intimidation through litigation.
Lebo M speaks after being ordered to pay R640k
Despite the court ruling against him, Lebo M has not closed the door on further action. In a statement issued to TshisaLIVE, Morake and his legal team stressed that the principal matter was withdrawn without prejudice, preserving their legal position for any future steps.
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"This matter has never been about winning a war of personalities, social media narratives or public popularity. It has always been about something significantly greater: the protection of heritage, legacy, cultural dignity and the right to challenge conduct believed to diminish or disrespect those values," the statement read.
The statement also underscored his decades-long contribution to African music and storytelling on a global stage, framing the dispute as far bigger than a personal quarrel.
"Lebo M and his legal team are therefore studying the implications of the latest determination and evaluating the options available to them. We will not litigate this matter through social media, nor will we allow online commentary to define the significance of the principles at stake," the statement further said.
Peeps react to Lebo M and Learnmore Jonasi's legal battle
After an update on the case circulated online, South Africans took to X to share their views, with many urging Lebo M to let the matter rest.
Here's what people had to say:
@Ndabenhle456421 wrote:
"He should just leave the guy alone."
@advocate_gafa commented:
"It's over, old man. You just don't know when to stop."
@The_Tent_Maker said:
"No sense of legacy this man."
@Ddawg86 added:
"Sometimes you just have to laugh and move on Lebo M is really making a fool of himself."
Source: Getty Images
Comedian reacts to Lebo M’s claim after US court dismisses lawsuit
Meanwhile, Briefly News previously reported that Learnmore Jonasi responded to Lebo M’s claims, accusing the Grammy-winning composer of misrepresenting how their $27 million defamation case came to an end.
Lebo M had also previously claimed that he received threats to his life from Zimbabweans during the legal dispute, adding another layer of tension to the already contentious saga.
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Source: Briefly News
