In a stunning conclusion to one of South Africa’s most protracted corporate legal battles, Vodacom has finally settled with Nkosana Makate, the inventor behind the revolutionary “Please Call Me” feature that changed mobile communication forever.
The telecommunications giant announced on November 5, 2025, that its board had approved an out-of-court settlement, bringing closure to a legal saga that began in 2008 and has captivated the nation for nearly 18 years.
The Billion-Rand Idea Born in a Call Center
Picture this: It’s the year 2000, and a young Vodacom employee named Nkosana Makate is working in the company’s call center.
He notices a recurring problem—customers without airtime desperately need to contact their friends and family but have no way to do so.
In a moment of inspiration, Makate conceived an idea that would become one of the most widely used mobile features in Africa: a free messaging service allowing users to request a callback.
Vodacom launched the “Please Call Me” service in March 2001, and it became an instant hit. The feature generated billions of rand in revenue over the years, creating value not just for Vodacom, but for millions of South Africans who relied on it daily.
There was just one problem: Makate wasn’t compensated for his groundbreaking invention.
From Handshake Agreement to Courtroom Drama
According to court documents, Makate had reached an agreement with Philip Geissler, Vodacom’s then-Director of Product Development and Management.
The understanding was that Makate would be fairly compensated for his contribution. But as the years passed and the “Please Call Me” feature generated enormous profits, that compensation never materialized.
By 2007, Makate had begun writing letters to Vodacom requesting recognition and payment. When those letters went unanswered, he took the matter to the High Court in 2008, launching what would become one of the longest-running corporate legal disputes in South African history.
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The Legal Roller Coaster: Courts, Appeals, and Billions at Stake
The legal journey was nothing short of extraordinary:
2014: The Gauteng High Court confirmed a contract existed between Makate and Vodacom but ruled the company wasn’t bound by it.
2016: The Constitutional Court overturned that decision, declaring Vodacom was indeed bound by the agreement and ordered good-faith negotiations.
2019: Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub offered R47 million as compensation. Makate rejected it outright, arguing the figure was insulting given the billions generated by his idea.
2022: The Pretoria High Court ruled Makate was entitled to 5% of Vodacom’s voice revenue from the “Please Call Me” product over a 20-year period—potentially worth billions.
2024: The Supreme Court of Appeal raised the stakes even higher, ruling Makate deserved between 5% and 7.5% of total revenue, with estimates ranging from R29 billion to over R100 billion depending on the calculation model used.
2025: The Constitutional Court sent the matter back to the Supreme Court of Appeal, setting the stage for yet another round of legal warfare.
The Settlement: A Confidential Victory
Just as the parties were preparing to face off in the Supreme Court of Appeal this month, Vodacom made an unexpected move.
On November 4, 2025, the company’s board approved a settlement agreement, withdrawing all appeals and finally ending the dispute.
While the exact settlement amount remains confidential—bound by non-disclosure agreements—Vodacom confirmed the settlement has been accounted for in its interim financial results for the six months ending September 30, 2025.
This detail suggests the figure is substantial enough to impact the company’s financial statements.
“I am relieved this is over,” Makate told reporters, though he couldn’t disclose details due to confidentiality clauses. “There’s no price to be relieved of the stress, to have a normal life without litigation hanging over your head.”
What This Case Means for South African Innovators
The Makate vs. Vodacom case has become a landmark legal precedent with far-reaching implications:
1. Recognition of Employee Innovations: The case establishes that verbal agreements between employees and employers regarding innovations can be legally binding and enforceable.
2. Corporate Accountability: It demonstrates that corporations cannot simply benefit from employee innovations without providing fair compensation, even if formal contracts weren’t signed.
3. Persistence Pays: Makate’s 18-year battle shows that standing up for one’s rights, even against corporate giants, can ultimately lead to justice.
4. Value of Ideas: The case highlights the enormous commercial value of simple, user-focused innovations in the telecommunications sector.
The Legacy of “Please Call Me”
Today, variations of the “Please Call Me” feature have been adopted by telecommunications companies across Africa and beyond.
The service has facilitated billions of connections, helped people in emergencies, enabled business communications, and kept families in touch during financial hardships.
What started as a simple solution to a common problem became a cultural phenomenon and a multi-billion rand revenue generator. And now, finally, the man behind the idea has received his recognition and compensation.
Lessons for the Digital Age
As South Africa positions itself as a hub for innovation and technology, the Makate case offers crucial lessons:
- Document everything: Verbal agreements, while legally binding, are much harder to enforce than written contracts.
- Know your worth: Innovation has measurable value that should be fairly compensated.
- Protect your IP: Understanding intellectual property rights is essential for employees and entrepreneurs alike.
- Corporate responsibility matters: Companies that fail to recognize and reward innovation risk both legal consequences and reputational damage.
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The Final Chapter
After 18 years of legal battles, countless court appearances, rejected offers, and public scrutiny, Nkosana Makate can finally close this chapter of his life.
While we may never know the exact settlement figure, what’s clear is that justice—though delayed—was ultimately served.
For Vodacom, the settlement allows the company to move forward without the cloud of ongoing litigation.
For Makate, it’s vindication and relief. And for South Africa’s aspiring innovators, it’s a powerful reminder that good ideas, backed by persistence and principle, can ultimately prevail against even the most formidable opponents.
The “Please Call Me” story is more than just a legal victory—it’s a testament to the power of innovation, the importance of fair compensation, and the strength of the South African legal system in protecting individual rights against corporate interests.
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