Lebohang “Lebo M” Morake, the acclaimed South African composer best known for his work on Disney’s The Lion King, has reportedly filed a $20 million (R339 million) lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Mwanyenyeka, popularly known as Learnmore Jonasi.
The legal action follows a viral moment on the ONE45 podcast, where Learnmore discussed and interpreted “Nants’ Ingonyama,” the iconic Zulu chant featured in The Circle of Life from The Lion King.
During the conversation, the comedian suggested that “Nants’ Ingonyama” means “look, there’s a lion,” a claim that sparked widespread debate and ultimately drew a strong reaction from Lebo M.
In The Lion King, “Nants’ Ingonyama” is part of the opening sequence that introduces Simba’s presentation at Pride Rock, and has long been regarded as a culturally significant chant rooted in African royal praise traditions.
Reacting to the viral interpretation, Lebo M expressed frustration in a video shared on his Instagram, accusing the comedian of distorting the meaning of the chant and disregarding its cultural context.
“I tried to engage this young man from Zimbabwe. He’s intentionally misusing the global platform by going viral. Intentionally disrespecting and dismissing my explanation to him of the context of Nants’ Ingonyama, which is a cultural, heritage and royal statement we made for years in honouring and welcoming a king,” Lebo M said in a video shared on his Instagram responding to the comedian’s stance.
In response, Learnmore maintained that his comments were made in a comedic context and not intended to offend.
“I’m a big fan of yours and actually I love the song. This was just a joke, and comedy has always had a way of starting a conversation, I told him this.
Now people are actually listening. I was ready to create a video with him. I had no idea it had a deeper meaning. The moment he called me a self-hating negro, I never insulted him. He called me an idiot.”
Despite the exchange, Learnmore has continued to reference and mock the song on his social media platforms, further fueling public discussion around the issue.
According to Tshepo Mboni, who has been appointed spokesperson for Lebo M, the legal action goes beyond a personal dispute and is aimed at protecting cultural expression and intellectual property tied to African heritage.
“This is not merely a legal matter, it is a cultural correction. Nants’ Ingonyama is not a punchline or a casual reference point for exploitation. It is a sacred royal praise chant rooted in African identity, spirituality and storytelling,” Tshepo said.
“We are taking a firm and uncompromising stance against any form of misrepresentation, defamation or unauthorised commercial use that undermines its significance and Lebo M’s legacy.”
The case has since drawn attention online, with discussions centering on the balance between comedy, cultural interpretation, and respect for artistic and traditional works associated with globally recognised films like The Lion King.
