Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi has turned a courtroom victory into fresh material, releasing a new video that takes aim at South African composer Lebo M just days after winning a legal battle over a joke about The Lion King.
A Lawsuit Born From a Lion King Gag
The legal dispute dates back to Jonasi’s humorous take on the famous Zulu chant “Nants’ Ingonyama bagithi Baba,” which opens Disney’s iconic film. Lebo M, who composed the original music for The Lion King, filed a US$27 million lawsuit arguing that Jonasi’s joke misrepresented the cultural meaning of his work. The South African musician claimed the comedian’s interpretation crossed a line.
But the case never made it to trial. A US federal judge dismissed the lawsuit, and Jonasi successfully pursued reimbursement for his legal costs. On August 28, 2026, US District Judge Josephine L. Staton ordered Lebo M to pay US$39,560 in attorneys’ fees under California’s anti-SLAPP statute, which is designed to deter frivolous lawsuits and protect defendants from costly litigation.
The Video Response
In a new video posted by the comedian, an interviewer asks, “So Mr Jonasi, how does it feel to have money for rent?” Jonasi bursts into laughter before delivering his punchline.
“Ahhhh, you have no idea. I’m not working for a year, 39,560 richer!” he jokes in the clip.
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The comedian then pivots to rework a popular internet phrase. “You know, it’s called ‘f around and Learnmore,'” he says, playing on the common expression “f around and find out.”
Jonasi appears to be relishing the outcome of a legal fight that began as a joke and ended with a financial judgment against his accuser. The video suggests he’s treating the entire ordeal as an extended punchline.
Jonasi’s legal team successfully argued that the original lawsuit was without merit, clearing the way for the fee award. The comedian has now converted that victory into content, riffing on the financial windfall in a way that keeps the controversy alive online.
What Comes Next
From a joke about a lion to nearly forty thousand dollars in legal fees, the saga appears far from over. Jonasi’s latest video has already drawn attention online, with viewers reacting to his unapologetic response to a lawsuit that once threatened to cost him dearly.
The comedian’s approach has been consistent: what began as a bit has become a defining moment in his public profile. Whether this latest round of jokes will generate further legal complications remains to be seen.
