International relations expert Moses Kau has praised Nkosana Makate’s victory against Vodacom, calling it a symbol of hope for others fighting for recognition of their ideas. Kau links Makate’s success to a broader pattern in South Africa, where individuals take on powerful systems and companies to secure their rights to inventions. He highlights several other notable battles, including those over the Apartheid Museum concept, the design of the national flag, and the Bafana Bafana nickname, which all reveal hidden struggles over intellectual property. Kau stresses the importance of protecting ideas quickly, warning that many creators continue to lose out due to legal oversights.
Makate’s fight with Vodacom began in 2000 when he created the “Please Call Me” service, which generated billions for the company. Despite promises of compensation, Makate was initially denied any share of the profits. After years of legal battles, Vodacom agreed to a settlement in November 2025, with the exact amount undisclosed but significant enough to be noted in the company’s financial reports. Kau commended Makate’s perseverance, which has sparked calls for better laws to protect workers’ intellectual property.
Makate’s fight with Vodacom began in 2000 when he created the “Please Call Me” service, which generated billions for the company. Despite promises of compensation, Makate was initially denied any share of the profits. After years of legal battles, Vodacom agreed to a settlement in November 2025, with the exact amount undisclosed but significant enough to be noted in the company’s financial reports. Kau commended Makate’s perseverance, which has sparked calls for better laws to protect workers’ intellectual property.
