Nkosana Makate
1Min
South Africa
Nov 7, 2025
Nkosana Makate’s long fight over the “Please Call Me” service has paid off, with Vodacom agreeing to a settlement worth between R350 million and R660 million. The payout recognises his contribution and could easily fund luxuries like four blue Lamborghinis, a reward no one can confiscate.
Nkosana Makate has finally triumphed in his nearly two‑decade battle with Vodacom over the creation of the “Please Call Me” service. The telecom giant has reached an out‑of‑court settlement, with viral research from Nedbank CIB estimating the cost at between R350 million and R660 million.
The settlement, recorded as a one‑off cost in Vodacom’s interim financials, reduces the company’s earnings per share for the six months ending 30 September 2025. EPS, initially projected to rise 40 %‑45% to 496c‑513c, now stands at 460c‑496c after factoring in the payout.
Makate, who conceptualised the “Please Call Me” service almost twenty years ago, has long argued for fair compensation for his innovation, a service that became a key driver of Vodacom’s success. Analysts note that even the highest estimate of the settlement represents a fraction of Vodacom’s total earnings, making this a landmark personal victory for Makate.
The settlement also symbolises the triumph of intellectual property rights, sending a strong message that creators in South Africa will be rewarded for their ingenuity. For Makate, the payout is life-changing, with some joking that it could buy him four blue Lamborghinis, luxuries that no one, not even the SIU, could confiscate.
