Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi was in the middle of a performance when a stranger handed him a yellow piece of paper. The message was clear: he was being sued. The reason? A joke. A joke about Disney’s beloved film, The Lion King.
The controversial joke first aired on the One54 podcast last February. Jonasi had playfully suggested that the hosts mispronounced the opening chant of ‘The Circle of Life’ (Nants’ ingonyama bagithi Baba). He then offered his own humorous translation: “Look, there’s a lion. Oh my God!” The audience loved it, and millions online followed suit. However, Grammy-winning composer Lebohang Morake did not find it amusing.
Morake, who penned the original chant, asserts that the lyrics are deeply rooted in South African tradition and invoke royalty, not the surprised exclamation of a tourist spotting wildlife. Disney’s official translation supports this, stating: “All hail the king, we bow down in the presence of the king.” Morake’s lawyers argue that Jonasi presented his incorrect translation as fact rather than comedy, which, if true, could strip it of First Amendment protection.
The two individuals reportedly attempted to resolve the issue privately. Jonasi claims he expressed his genuine admiration for Morake and even proposed a collaboration on an educational video. However, Jonasi alleges that Morake then used a derogatory term, causing goodwill to dissipate. Morake has since apologized for his choice of words but remains steadfast in his legal position. Jonasi, for his part, has vowed to continue telling the joke.
Now, Jonasi is contending with a $27 million lawsuit, seeking support through a GoFundMe campaign, selling merchandise, and publicly stating, “I’m looking for a very good lawyer.”
Do you think he deserves this lawsuit?