Learnmore Jonasi Wins Court Battle as $27 Million Defamation Lawsuit by Lebo M Is Dismissed
Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi wins a US court case after a $27 million defamation suit by Lebo M is dismissed.Summary
Learnmore Jonasi, a Zimbabwean comedian, secured a legal victory when a U.S. federal judge dismissed a $27 million defamation lawsuit filed by South African composer Lebohang Morake (Lebo M). The suit arose after Jonasi offered a humorous translation of the Zulu chant “Nants’ingonyama bagithi Baba” on a podcast, which Lebo M claimed misrepresented his work and harmed his reputation. Judge Josephine Staton ruled the case was voluntarily settled, but the dismissal does not bar Jonasi from seeking attorney fees under California’s anti‑SLAPP law. Jonasi has turned the controversy into a comedic narrative, sharing the experience online, launching a fundraiser, and selling merchandise featuring the phrase “Look, it’s a Lawsuit. Oh, my God.” The outcome underscores the tension between artistic interpretation and free‑speech protections in the U.S. legal system.
(Source：Iharare News)