Vodacom to settle R40 billion to Nkosana Makate this week
Vodacom and former employee Nkosana Makate plan to enter private talks to discuss his compensation for the ‘Please Call Me’ service.
Vodacom reportedly looks to settle “R40 billion” to Please Call Me inventor, Nkosana Kenneth Makate out of court this week.
NKOSANA MAKATE: COMPESATATED?
BusinessTech reports that Vodacom planned to begin talks with Nkosana Makate on Tuesday, 12 March.
South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal revealed in February that Makate was entitled for a compensation ranging between R29 billion and R63 billion.
The service provider reveals that the payout would have “devastating consequences” for the mobile network operator, its employees and its investors. Vodacom also filed papers on 26 February to appeal the supreme court decision.
When contacted, Makate revealed to the publication that Vodacom “asked for private talks and I will surely oblige and engage them.”
He also confirmed that talks are planned for Tuesday and added he will file opposing papers in the Constitutional Court.
TimesLIVE reported on Monday, 11 March that Makate says the network is capable of paying amounts due in his claim.
He also says his claim against Vodacom is substantially less than the R40 billion the cellphone giant mentions
VODACOM DRAGS ‘PLEASE CALL ME’ SAGA
The businessman, Nkosana Makate proposed the Please Call Me idea to Vodacom when he worked in the finance division 20 years ago.
Daily Maverick reported in 2022 that the court rejected the R47 million offer the communications company made to Makate in 2019.
Vodacom Chief Executive Officer, Shameel Joosub calculated the R47 million compensation to Makate at the time.
Joosub revealed at the time that Makate’s methods in determining the revenue generated by Please Call Me since its market launch in 2001 was flawed.
The company was ordered by the Pretoria High Court to offer Makate a new compensation offer for the idea.
Vodacom declined to comment on the matter at the time of publishing the article.
