PETITION CALLS ON DISNEY TO RELINGUISH 'HAKUNA MATATA' LABEL

An online petition is calling on Disney to remove its label of the Swahili phrase "Hakuna Matata."

The figure of speech, which roughly means "no worries" or "no problems" and a frequently use expression in parts of southern and eastern Africa, is peradventure known best as a song in Disney's 1994 hit movie "The Lion King."

The company labelled the phrasing the same year, with respect to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Shelton Mpala,the Zimbabwean activist created the petition, has brought upon more than 50,000 signatures.

Shelton Mpala reported that he began the petition "to draw attention to the appropriation of African culture and the importance of protecting our heritage, identity and culture from being exploited for financial gain by third parties."

"This plundered artwork serves to enrich or benefit these museums and corporations and not the creators or people it's derived from," Mpala reported.