Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi is facing a USD 27 million lawsuit from Grammy-winning composer Lebo M (Lebohang Morake) over a viral joke about the opening chant of The Lion King song Circle of Life. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles federal court in March, alleges that Jonasi intentionally mistranslated the Zulu-language chant during an appearance on the One54 podcast and in subsequent standup performances. He claimed the iconic opening chant “Nants’ingonyama bagithi Baba.” meant “Look, there’s a lion. Oh my god.” The actual translation means “All hail the king, we all bow in the presence of the king”.

According to the complaint, the remarks mocked the chant’s cultural significance and interfered with Morake’s business relationships with Disney and his royalty income, with the composer seeking more than USD 20 million in damages and an additional USD 7 million in punitive damages. The suit also argues that Jonasi presented the translation “as authoritative fact, not comedy,” and therefore should not receive the same protections typically afforded to parody or satire. Court papers were reportedly served to him while he was on stage during a performance, a moment he later referenced in a social media video addressing the case.

The dispute stems partly from a February appearance on the One54 podcast, where Jonasi discussed the chant while critiquing portrayals of Africa in popular Western media. A similar version of the joke later appeared in his standup set, where the lawsuit notes he received a standing ovation during a Los Angeles performance, reports The Guardian.

Jonasi has responded on Instagram, saying he is a “big fan” of Morake’s work and suggested making a joint video explaining the chant’s deeper meaning. “Comedy always has a way of starting conversation,” Jonasi said in the video. “This is your chance to actually educate people, because now people are listening.”

Jonasi started a GoFundMe page to raise USD 20,000 for the legal fees he will require to fight this lawsuit. “What started as a bit of humour has escalated into a devastating legal battle. I am a passionate creator who never intended harm, but I now face overwhelming legal fees just to defend my right to speak and tell jokes,” he wrote in the description of the fundraiser. He hit his goal within two days.