One of South Africa’s longest and most bitter corporate legal dramas has finally reached its conclusion. After more than two decades of court battles, Vodacom has announced an out-of-court settlement with Kenneth Makate, the man credited with coming up with the iconic “Please Call Me” concept.
The announcement, made in a notice to shareholders on Wednesday, draws a final curtain on a dispute that has wound its way through every level of the South African judicial system, from the High Court to the Constitutional Court.
A Quiet End to a Loud Dispute
In a terse statement, Vodacom confirmed that its board had approved the settlement agreement, effectively halting all ongoing legal proceedings. Notices have been sent to the Supreme Court of Appeal and the High Court to withdraw and abandon their respective cases.
Notably, the financial terms of the settlement remain a tightly guarded secret. Vodacom stated only that the amount will be reflected in its interim results for the period ending 30 September 2025. The company, and Makate, simply said, “The parties are glad that finality has been reached in this regard.”
This quiet, confidential resolution stands in stark contrast to the very public and acrimonious war that preceded it.
A Two-Decade War of Attrition
The saga began in 2001 when Makate, then a Vodacom employee, proposed an idea for a service that would allow users to send a free “please call me” message. He claimed he was promised compensation for his innovation.
When that compensation failed to materialize, he launched legal action in 2008, beginning a gruelling journey for justice. The case became a symbol of the little guy taking on a corporate Goliath.
The dispute saw staggering figures thrown into the ring. Makate’s camp argued for compensation nearing R10 billion, based on a share of the revenue generated by the service over 18 years. Vodacom, on the other hand, maintained that a fair figure was closer to R50 million.
The Long Road to the Constitution
The case’s legal significance was cemented when it reached the Constitutional Court, which initially ordered Vodacom to negotiate “in good faith” to determine fair compensation. When those talks broke down, the battle returned to the courts, with a series of rulings and appeals that saw victory swing back and forth.
Most recently, the Constitutional Court had sent the matter back to the Supreme Court of Appeal for a “rerun,” criticizing the SCA’s prior handling of the case. This settlement means that retrial will now never happen.
For Kenneth Makate, this settlement represents a hard-won vindication, even if the final number remains behind a corporate veil. For Vodacom, it closes a costly and reputationally damaging chapter. And for the South African public, it ends a story that has captivated, divided, and ultimately highlighted the immense value of a single, powerful idea.
