Nkosana Makate and Vodacom Reach ‘Please Call Me’ Settlement

Nkosana Makate. Photo: News24.

After nearly two decades of legal battles, Vodacom Group Limited has announced a landmark out-of-court settlement with Nkosana Makate, the innovator behind the company’s “Please Call Me” service, which was launched in 2001. The agreement, greenlit by Vodacom’s board on November 4, 2025, concludes one of South Africa’s longest-running corporate disputes. Yet, with the settlement terms shrouded in confidentiality, speculation swirls about the fortune Makate might have secured—and when the public will know the full story.

The resolution caps a tumultuous legal journey. In 2024, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruled that Makate deserved 5% to 7.5% of the service’s revenue over 18 years. While exact revenue figures aren’t public, estimates from web sources and legal analyses have speculated a potential total of R29.5 billion at the 7.5% upper limit.

Vodacom challenged this, including a recent Constitutional Court case, but withdrew its appeal on November 4, as detailed in a press statement released via the Stock Exchange News Service (SENS). The statement, issued under registration number 1993/005461/06, confirms the settlement post the interim results period ending September 30, 2025, with notices sent to the Supreme Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court to halt further proceedings.

Public opinion suggests a strategic compromise. “It is improbable that Makate settled for a modest sum, given the stakes involved,” said one Facebook user. “Vodacom likely foresaw an SCA ruling enforcing a multi-billion-rand payout, backed by a clear methodology this time—unlike before, where it was not clear how the court had determined the percentage of profits Makate was entitled to. Both parties may have opted for certainty over prolonged risk.” The company’s initial 2016 offer of R47 million pales in comparison to the SCA’s estimates, fueling speculation of a substantial settlement.

Although the exact figure remains under wraps, Makate could be smiling all the way to the bank if the deal mirrors the SCA’s high-end estimates. On X, reactions range from hopeful—“Hallelujah! I hope he got a fair amount!”—to bold predictions of R2 billion or more.

As shareholders await Vodacom’s 11 November financial report, which is expected to reveal how much Makate was paid in the confidential deal, his persistence may have paid off handsomely. Whether he emerges a multimillionaire or billionaire, this settlement sets a precedent for inventors’ rights.