Nkosana Makate
Nkosana Makate (1976) is a South African-born inventor and businessman. He is known for his invention of a "Please Call Me", which Vodacom claimed as theirs.[1] The matter played out in the South African courts for a long time until 2025.[2]
Early life
[edit]Nkosana was born in 1976 at Natalspruit Hospital and was raised by his maternal grandparents in the East Rand, Katlehong, Ekurhuleni. Makate matriculated in 1994 at Alapang High School aft,er which he went to university, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree with distinction.
Career
[edit]Makate began his professional career in accounting with Vodacom, where in February 1995 he participated in Vodacom's trainee accounting session. Makate developed the concept of the Please Call Me in November 2000 and Vodacom launched the service in February 2001. Vodacom subscribers were able to send another a "Please Call Me" message, which the other person can call back on any network. He later left Vodacom to join Nedbank in 2003 as a Finance Manager of Nedbank.[3]
Legal issues
[edit]Makate took Vodacom to court over compensation for inventing the 'Please Call Me' idea after the company didnt want to credit him as an inventor. The legal dispute dragged on for over two decades.[4] In 2014 High Court ruling favored the telecom, but Makate filed an appeal. The Constitutional Court confirmed later in 2016 that Nkosana came up with the idea for the Please Call Me.[5] In February 2024, South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ordered the company to pay Makate a settlement between R29 billion ($1.5 billion) and R55 billion ($2.8 billion). According to Forbes, Vodacom offered R47 million ($2.4 million) but Makate refused.[6] In November 2024, Businesslive reported that the SCA ordered Vodacom to make a fresh offer.[7][8] Makate demanded a R9.4bn (about $496 million) compensation.[9] The SCA also ordered Vodacom to pay Makate a percentage ranging from 5% to 7.5% of the PCM product's total revenue from March 2001 to the date of judgment. In July 2025,ConCourt announced it will decide his total compensation.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ "Makate v Joosub N.O and Another (57882/2019) [2022] ZAGPPHC 55; [2022] 2 All SA 226 (GP) (7 February 2022)". www.saflii.org. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ "Where Is Makate's Please Call Me Patent? - Stuff South Africa". 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ Lourie, Gugu (2025-07-30). "Makate vs Vodacom: ConCourt To Rule On "Please Call Me" Case". Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ Koka, Mpho (2025-07-31). "ConCourt sends Nkosana Makate, Vodacom Please-Call-Me case back to Supreme Court". Sunday World. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ Makwakwa, Thabo (2025-07-31). "ConCourt overturns 'Please Call Me' ruling, orders rehearing in Makate vs Vodacom battle". IOL. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ Shapshak, Toby. "The Strange Case Of The $1.5 Billion Idea Without A Patent". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2025-07-31-please-call-me-inventors-battle-with-vodacom-referred-to-sca/
- ^ "Nkosana Makate not entitled to 'annuity for life' payment, Vodacom tells top court". BusinessLIVE. Archived from the original on 2024-11-08. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ Webster, Jacob. "A R29-billion payday would instantly make Makate one of the richest people in South Africa". Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times-daily/news/2025-07-31-please-call-me-inventors-wait-over-as-concourt-decides-his-compensation/?utm_source=Arena+Holdings&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TimesLIVE+Premium+%7C+Pressure+mounts+on+KZN+education+MEC+over+controversial+R2.9bn+school+nutrition+tender+%7C+%E2%80%98Please+Call+Me%E2%80%99+inventor%E2%80%99s+wait+over+as+ConCourt+decides+his+compensation&utm_term=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.timeslive.co.za%2Fsunday-times-daily%2Fnews%2F2025-07-31-please-call-me-inventors-wait-over-as-concourt-decides-his-compensation%2F