Relief for Nkosana Makate as court rules in his favour
In episode eight of 'The Carol Ofori Podcast,' Carol sat down with the inventor of Vodacom's 'Please Call Me' service.'
Kenneth Nkosana Makate (pictured below) developed the 'Please Call Me' concept while he was working as a trainee accountant at Vodacom in 2000.
But that was only the start of a long battle between Makate and Vodacom over compensation for the idea.
The Constitutional Court eventually ruled in Makate's favour in 2016 and ordered Vodacom to negotiate "reasonable compensation" with him.
Vodacom offered Makate R47-million, but he turned down the offer, contesting that he is owed approximately R9-billion.
The Pretoria High Court agreed that the amount offered was not fair and sent the matter back to Vodacom.
Makate then trended on social media, with many accusing him of greed and ingratitude, suggesting that he should simply accept the R47-million from Vodacom.
In conversation with Carol Ofori, Makate reveals not only why he turned down Vodacom's offer but also discusses the lengthy legal battle, his sources of motivation, and his plans once the matter has been concluded.
Makate also discusses the inspiration behind the 'Please Call Me' concept.
If you were one of the people on social media who accused Makate of greed, listening to this podcast might change your perspective. Click below to listen.
[Please note this conversation was recorded in June 2023, while Makate was still waiting for today's (7 February 2024) ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal]
Meanwhile, in last week's episode of 'The Carol Ofori Podcast,' Carol spoke with Arthur Goldstuck, an award-winning writer, analyst, technology commentator, and head of the World Wide Worx research organization, about artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT.
Carol inquired if ChatGPT would soon be taking our jobs.
Listen to the full podcast below for all the details...
In an earlier episode of ‘The Carol Ofori Podcast’, Carol Ofori had a heart-to-heart conversation with the mother of murdered hip hop star, Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, or AKA.
I have never felt pain like that ever in my life before. I still feel that pain. I wake up every morning and it is just a confirmation that I will never hear his voice again.
The motivational speaker talked candidly about how the Forbes family is trying to pick up the pieces after the devastating loss. She also talked about the heartbreaking moment she stumbled across the haunting video of her son’s brutal murder on social media.
Lynn, or ‘Glammy’ as she is affectionately known, said the Forbes family is “getting through the days” as best they can, but accepts that their lives have forever been changed.
Listen to Carol Ofori’s full interview with Lynn Forbes below:
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