The Nkosana Makate vs. Vodocam saga was first brought to the Constitutional Court in 2018, and six years later, it appears the end finally seems near as Vodacom presented their leave to appeal a ruling made by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).
The controversial case is back in the spotlight as matters resume, and internet users have not held back in making their opinions known.
‘Please call me’ inventor Nkosana Makate has publicly advocated for his case since 2008 after he took the matter to the high court amid revealing his attempts to reach out to Vodacom to no avail. Court proceedings revealed that there had been a verbal agreement between Nkosana and his then-boss Phillip Geissler about negotiating compensation for his invention of the please call me.
Fast forwarding, the matter has made its way back to the Constitutional Court after Nkosinathi rejected a payout of R47 million from the telecommunications giant in 2019. The Supreme Court heard Vodacom’s case as they sought to overturn the SCA’s decision, arguing that it makes Nkosana liable for a payment of up to R36 Billion.
Inventor Nkosana Makate has returned to the Constitutional Court in his ongoing legal fight for compensation from Vodacom.
The company is seeking to overturn a ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal, which set aside the R47 million compensation that Makate rejected in 2019. pic.twitter.com/waoM9fgdZz
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) November 21, 2024
This matter has been closely followed by many South Africans as they anticipatedly wait for the final ruling of this mind-boggling case. Among these people, some believe that Nkosana’s rejection of the R47 million was the beginning of the end for ‘Mr Please Call Me’ as it was a display of his greed. They express the risk that comes with rejecting the offer, claiming that the amount is more than enough and given a chance to be in Nkosana’s shoes, they would take the money and run.
Take the money before it’s too late R47 million I blew it show is waiting for you baba ??
— Siya Twayi (@SiyaTwayi80409) November 22, 2024
He should have taken the R47 million shouldn’t he? That was his fault, Sir.
— ShelleyO (@ShelleyO317621) November 6, 2024
Contrarily, the majority appear to be rooting for Nkosana, encouraging him to not settle for just any amount as his invention has benefitted Vodacom for about 20 years now. Furthermore, these users believe that Nkosana has a compelling case and should see it through as the odds seem to be in his favour.
Some of you were saying Nkosana Makate is “ungrateful” for refusing the R47 million Vodacom initially offered instead of what’s rightfully due to him.
We haven’t forgotten.
— Mabhalane (@LungaMrhetjha) February 16, 2024
Taking to his X(formerly Twitter), ‘Mr Please Call Me’ updated his many supporters, revealing that proceedings went well on his accord, and would be waiting for the judgement from the Constitutional Court.
We did what we had to do at @ConCourtSA yesterday. We now await an emphatic Judgment and ORDER from the highest court in the land. Phambili Asijiki,” his post reads.
We did what we had to do at @ConCourtSA yesterday. We now await an emphatic Judgment and ORDER from the highest court in the land. Phambili Asijiki✊?
— Nkosana Makate (@makate_nkosana) November 22, 2024
