BREAKING NEWS: Vodacom Settles Please Call Me Dispute with Inventor Kenneth Makate

Vodacom has finally settled the long-standing dispute with Kenneth Makate, the originator of the Please Call Me idea, over fair compensation for the popular service. The telecommunications company announced on Wednesday, November 5, that it has reached an out-of-court agreement with Makate, bringing an end to the protracted legal battle that has spanned over two decades. Details of the Settlement While the terms of the settlement were not disclosed, Vodacom stated that the agreement has been approved by its board and will be accounted for in the company's interim results for the six-month period ended September 30, 2025. The parties have expressed satisfaction with the outcome, with Vodacom noting that "the parties are glad that finality has been reached in this regard."

A Long and Complex History The dispute began in 2001 when Makate, a former Vodacom employee, shared his idea for a free missed-call service with his superior. When compensation did not materialize, Makate launched a legal battle in 2008, seeking payment for his idea. The matter has since escalated to various courts, including the Constitutional Court, which previously ordered Vodacom to pay Makate fairly for his idea. Previous Court Rulings The case has seen several significant court rulings, including a 2022 judgment by the High Court in Makate's favor, which Vodacom rejected, leading to an appeal. The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) subsequently ruled that Vodacom should compensate Makate with between 5% and 7.5% of the revenue generated by the Please Call Me service over 18 years, potentially amounting to tens of billions of rand. However, Vodacom escalated the matter to the Constitutional Court, arguing that the SCA had erred in its findings. Conclusion of the Matter With the settlement agreement, Vodacom's appeal will be withdrawn, and the matter will not proceed further in court. The settlement brings closure to a long and complex chapter in the history of Vodacom and marks a new era in the company's relationship with its employees and inventors.