BIOGRAPHY

Nkosana Makate Wife: Meet Rebecca Makate

Published

3 months ago

February 8, 2024

Nkosana Makate is a South African finance executive, who revolutionized the telecom sector at Vodacom with his “Please Call Me” concept. Born in 1977 in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, Makate's early years were impacted by his mother's desire to become a teacher and the absence of his father.

Makate completed his matric at Alabang High School and a Bachelor of Commerce degree at an undisclosed institution. He began his career at Vodacom in 1995 as part of its trainee accounting program. In 2000, while dating his future wife, Rebecca Makate, a medical student, Makate conceived the innovative “Please Call Me” service, a free message requesting a callback, to help communicate without excessive airtime costs. Makate's journey demonstrates his dedication to education and career growth.

Upon sharing his idea with Philip Geissler, his supervisor and director of product development at Vodacom, Makate received a verbal agreement that promised him a share of the service's revenue, estimated at 15-20%. The Please Call Me service, launched in 2001, garnered immense popularity, contributing over R200 billion to Vodacom's revenue. Despite the service's success, Makate never received compensation for his inventive contribution.

Departing Vodacom in 2004, Nkosana Makate pursued various roles in the finance sector, including positions at Nedbank and the City of Johannesburg. However, in 2008, he initiated a legal battle against Vodacom, alleging a breach of the verbal agreement and claiming rightful compensation for his invention, which he estimated at R10.5 billion. The legal saga endured for eight years, with the South Gauteng High Court ruling in his favor in 2014, acknowledging him as the inventor but denying compensation due to an expired claim.

Undeterred, Makate appealed to the Constitutional Court, which, in April 2016, recognized his invention and ordered Vodacom to negotiate reasonable compensation. The subsequent legal proceedings witnessed disputes over the amount and methodology of compensation, leading to the Supreme Court of Appeal's ruling in February 2024. Vodacom's appeal was dismissed, and the court-mandated compensation ranged from 5% to 10% of the total revenue generated by the Please Call Me service over 18 years.

As of now, the prolonged legal battle has positioned Nkosana Makate with an estimated net worth of R1 million, a figure poised to rise significantly with the impending compensation from Vodacom. Despite the challenges, Makate remains committed to supporting his family, community, and charitable causes. Married to pediatrician Rebecca Makate, with whom he shares three children, Makate's resilience, courage, and dedication have made him not only a symbol of triumph over adversity but also a revered figure and mentor within South Africa. His journey, marked by innovation and perseverance, serves as an inspiration for aspiring inventors and advocates for the protection of intellectual property rights.