Nkosana Makate Unfazed by Black Rock’s 40% Claim on ‘Please Call Me’ Settlement
Viable News Team 
Image: Timothy Bernard
Johannesburg Nkosana Makate, the inventor of Vodacom’s widely used “Please Call Me” service, says he remains unshaken by a renewed claim from Black Rock Mining, which is demanding 40% of his multimillion-rand settlement with the telecommunications giant.
Black Rock Mining, represented by SN Mnguni Attorneys Inc., has written to Vodacom requesting that the company withhold payment of the settlement funds to Makate or his legal representatives, Stemela & Lubbe Attorneys, until its claim is addressed.
In correspondence seen by IOL, attorney Sinenhlanhla Mnguni warned that Black Rock intends to approach the courts if Vodacom releases the funds without resolving the dispute. The letter set a deadline of Monday, 10 November 2025, for Vodacom to provide an undertaking not to disburse the payment.
Mnguni also raised concerns that Stemela & Lubbe “might not distribute the awarded funds fairly” to Black Rock, alleging that the firm had acted in bad faith regarding earlier agreements.
Makate Dismisses Claim as “Extortion”
Speaking to IOL on Tuesday, Makate said he was surprised by Black Rock’s latest move, especially after the company withdrew its claim in 2024 and admitted it had not financed his legal battles against Vodacom.
“I have not received any summons nor any indication that they will approach the courts after they dropped their claim from the High Court last year,” Makate said. “I’m not bothered by these assertions, and I’m unsure why the company would now claim entitlement when it had already given up in court. This is nothing but extortion.”
Makate added that his attorneys would respond if necessary to any formal legal action.
Background to the Dispute
The claim stems from a 2011 funding agreement between Makate and businessman Chris Schoeman, connected to a company called Raining Men Trade. Through this arrangement, Schoeman reportedly raised investment capital, offering investors 4–5% of any eventual payout, while assuming the risk of an unsuccessful outcome.
Tensions between Makate and his former funders first surfaced in 2016, soon after his landmark Constitutional Court victory, which affirmed his right to fair compensation for his invention. Schoeman accused Makate’s legal team of trying to undermine the original contract by pressuring him to cancel it.
Although the dispute appeared to have been settled years ago, Black Rock Mining has now revived its demand following Vodacom’s out-of-court settlement with Makate earlier this month.
Vodacom’s Financial Impact
Vodacom, meanwhile, has reported a 32.3% rise in half-year headline earnings per share (HEPS) to 467 cents, attributing part of the increase to once-off accounting effects linked to the settlement payment to Makate. The amount paid remains confidential but is believed to fall toward the lower end of Vodacom’s updated guidance range.
As the saga enters a new chapter, Makate maintains his composure, describing the latest claims as a distraction rather than a legitimate challenge to his long-awaited victory.
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