Fresh claim hits ‘Please Call Me’ idea-man after Vodacom pay-out

Zuko Komisa

Image | ‘Please Call Me’ inventor Nkosana Makate

‘Please Call Me’ inventor Nkosana Makate’s multi-million rand Vodacom settlement is immediately challenged by Black Rock Mining, which claims a 40% share of the funds.
Black Rock demands Vodacom withhold payment, citing a 2011 agreement and alleging Makate’s current attorneys will not honour their entitlement, threatening an interdict.
The undisclosed settlement is speculated to be between R353 million and R748 million, meaning the disputed claim amounts to between R141 million and R299 million.

Nkosana Makate, the inventor behind the “Please Call Me” concept, has finally secured a multi-million rand settlement from Vodacom, but his financial relief is proving short-lived.

According to MyBroadband, Black Rock Mining, represented by SN Mnguni Attorneys Inc., has emerged to demand a 40% share of the undisclosed payout, which is speculated to be between R353 million and R748 million. This claim could entitle Black Rock to between R141 million and R299 million.

The mining firm has written to Vodacom, demanding the mobile giant withhold payment to Makate and his current legal team, Stemela & Lubbe Attorneys.

Black Rock states it has reason to believe its entitlement will not be paid and intends to seek legal action against Makate.

Black Rock asserts its claim stems from a 2011 agreement between Makate and former funder, Chris Schoeman, in which the company was the nominated beneficiary.

The dispute echoes earlier drama from 2016, when details emerged of a fall-out between Makate and his former backers—who provided high-risk funding for the protracted legal battle.

Schoeman alleges Makate’s current attorneys tried to pressure him into cancelling the original funding contract secured through the company Raining Men Trade, which involved a group of wealthy investors.

Black Rock has reportedly warned Vodacom that failure to comply or respond will result in the company seeking an interdict to legally compel the network to freeze the payment.