News
Nkosana Makate Dismisses Black Rock’s 40% Claim on His ‘Please Call Me’ Payout
The man who took on a telecom giant isn’t losing sleep
After nearly two decades of court battles and negotiations, most people in Nkosana Makate’s position might expect to enjoy some peace. Yet, just months after Vodacom finally settled the long-running Please Call Me saga, a new chapter has emerged, and Makate isn’t impressed.
The former Vodacom employee, who famously won a Constitutional Court case recognising him as the rightful inventor of the Please Call Me service, now faces renewed claims from Black Rock Mining. The company asserts it is entitled to 40 percent of his multi-million-rand settlement. Makate, however, calls it what it is: noise.
“I have not received any summons nor any indication that they will approach the courts after they dropped their claim last year,” Makate told IOL. “I’m not bothered by these assertions. This is nothing but extortion.”
A claim that keeps resurfacing
Black Rock Mining, represented by SN Mnguni Attorneys, reportedly sent a letter to Vodacom demanding that payment to Makate or his legal representatives, Stemela & Lubbe Attorneys, be withheld until its alleged stake is recognised. The company set a deadline for Vodacom to confirm it would not release the settlement money while it pursues legal action.
Attorney Sinenhlanhla Mnguni told the publication that Black Rock believes Stemela & Lubbe might not distribute funds fairly if payment proceeds. The law firm warned that a court interdict would follow if Vodacom ignored the request.
Makate’s camp remains calm, insisting there’s no legal basis for the demand. Black Rock’s claim, he said, was already withdrawn from the High Court in 2024, and the company itself previously acknowledged it never financed his costly legal fight.
Old partnerships, old wounds
The roots of this dispute go back to 2011, when Makate and businessman Chris Schoeman signed a funding agreement. Through Schoeman’s entity, Raining Men Trade, investors contributed to Makate’s campaign, expecting a small return, around 4 to 5 percent each, if he won.
But when Makate triumphed in the Constitutional Court in 2016, things soured. Schoeman accused Makate’s lawyers of undermining that agreement, while Makate’s side argued the deal had long expired. That fallout birthed years of tension and headlines, a reminder that even victory can come with legal ghosts.
Vodacom’s numbers tell their own story
While Makate’s personal battle continues, Vodacom confirmed that it paid out a significant settlement amount earlier this year, contributing to a 32.3 percent rise in half-year headline earnings per share to 467 cents. The telecom giant said the payment sits at the lower end of its previously announced guidance, a financial acknowledgement that the Please Call Me dispute had finally reached resolution.
What’s next for Makate
For Makate, the fight over Please Call Me was never just about money. It was about fairness, intellectual credit, and a South African innovator standing up to a corporate giant. Now, even as new claims surface, his response shows a man who has grown used to turbulence.
With the settlement secure and public support still on his side, Makate’s focus seems clear: move forward, ignore distractions, and ensure that justice, once won, is not rewritten.
Also read: New Study Suggests Microclots May Hold the Key to Understanding Long COVID
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikT
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
Source: IOL
Featured Image: Business Day
