Tulani Ngwenya
Pretoria, South Africa – In a landmark ruling that has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s telecommunications industry, the Supreme Court of Appeal on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, mandated Vodacom to pay a staggering minimum of R29 billion to Kenneth Nkosana Makate for his pioneering “Please Call Me” idea.
Africa News 24 was able to obtain information contained in court documents that show the vast compensation that the Supreme Court ordered, which far exceeds previous estimates and ranges between R28.99 billion and R55.37 billion.
Makate is entitled to receive between 5% and 7.5% of the total revenue generated by the Please Call Me product over the past 18 years, plus accrued interest, according to a ruling that was rendered on February 6, 2024. This amounts to a colossal sum considering the immense success of the service.
Models that Makate’s legal team provided showed the considerable money that Please Call Me has made over the years—calculations that come to an astounding R250 billion. Vodacom was initially reluctant to accept Makate’s claim, but the court’s ruling confirms his right to a sizeable portion of the money brought in by his creative idea.
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Vodacom ordered to pay ‘Please Call Me’ inventor R29 billion
The legal battle between Makate and Vodacom has been long and arduous, spanning over 15 years. Makate, a former Vodacom finance manager, pitched the concept of a service allowing users to send messages requesting a callback without using airtime to a superior in 2000. This idea later evolved into the widely popular Please Call Me service, generating immense revenue for Vodacom.
Makate’s legitimate claim to a significant share of the profits from his invention is highlighted by the Supreme Court’s ruling, which remains unwavering in the face of multiple legal challenges and appeals, including a reassessment of the terms of compensation by Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub.
In response to queries regarding Makate’s assertions, Vodacom has remained tight-lipped, preferring not to engage in public discourse on the matter beyond their previous statements.
The implications of this ruling extend beyond the financial realm, marking a significant victory for individual innovators seeking fair compensation for their contributions to corporate success. The David versus Goliath narrative resonates strongly, with many rallying behind Makate as a symbol of perseverance against corporate giants.
As the dust settles on this protracted legal battle, the telecommunications landscape in South Africa may witness a paradigm shift in how intellectual property rights are upheld and compensated, ushering in a new era of accountability and equity in the industry.