Please Call Me no more: Vodacom rings up peace with Makate
Kenneth Nkosana Makate
Image: File
Vodacom has finally settled its long-standing dispute with Kenneth Nkosana Makate over the "Please Call Me" feature, bringing nearly two decades of legal battles to a close.
This week, Vodacom and Nkosana Makate reached a landmark settlement that concludes a lengthy legal saga which originated in 2001. This resolution signifies the end of a longstanding conflict surrounding the establishment of the Please Call Me feature, now widely recognised in South Africa.
Background
The dispute centred around Makate's initial contribution to the Please Call Me mechanism used by Vodacom. What began as a straightforward agreement for compensation escalated into a protracted legal battle, with both parties holding different views on the terms of payment.
In 2014, the Gauteng High Court confirmed a contractual relationship between Makate and Vodacom but determined that Vodacom was not legally bound to any compensation. Undeterred, Makate appealed this ruling, which led to further engagements with the judicial system.
Constitutional Court Ruling
A major turning point occurred in 2016 when South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled in favour of Makate, affirming his right to negotiate reasonable compensation for his idea. The court stipulated that Vodacom's CEO, Shameel Joosub, would make the final decision regarding payment if negotiations failed.
Intensifying Negotiations
Negotiations took an unexpected turn when Joosub's initial offer of R47 million was rejected by Makate, who argued that the actual value of his idea was significantly higher. The legal confrontation escalated further when a series of judgments indicated Makate was entitled to a percentage of the revenue generated by the service.
Supreme Court of Appeal Decision
In February 2024, the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that Makate was entitled to between 5% and 7.5% of the revenue from the Please Call Me service over its 18-year history, potentially amounting to billions of rand, which put substantial financial pressure on Vodacom.
Settlement Announcement
In a surprising turn of events on 5 November 2025, Vodacom's board approved a settlement agreement, effectively withdrawing its appeal and concluding the matter out of court. The specifics of the settlement have not been disclosed, but Vodacom expressed relief at having resolved the issue.
The settlement has been incorporated into Vodacom’s interim results for the six months ending 30 September 2025, marking a significant conclusion to this protracted legal dispute, which has drawn widespread attention over the years.
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