Nkosana Makate Biography: Age, Height, Career, Wife, Children, Net Worth

Nkosana Makate Biography, Age, Height, Career, Wife, Children, Net Worth – Nkosana Makate, a South African, presented the “Please Call Me” concept to Vodacom. His proposal involved sending a complimentary message to fellow Vodacom users, enabling them to call back, even if the initiator lacked sufficient credit.

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Nkosana Makate Biography

Nkosana Makate, a distinguished South African finance executive, captured the attention of the telecommunications industry with his groundbreaking “Please Call Me” concept at Vodacom. Born in 1977 and raised in Katlehong, a township in the East Rand of Ekurhuleni, Makate’s early life was marked by the absence of his father and the diligent efforts of his mother, who aspired to become a teacher.

Makate’s educational journey led him to Alapang High School, and later to a college in Springs, where he completed his matric in 1994. His pursuit of knowledge continued as he enrolled in a Bachelor of Commerce degree at an undisclosed institution, graduating with honors. Additionally, he attained a SAICA certification, solidifying his status as a qualified chartered accountant.

Nkosana Makate Age

How old is Nkosana Makate? Nkosana Makate is 47 years old. He was born in Gauteng, South Africa in 1977.

Nkosana Makate Height

How tall is Nkosana Makate? Nkosana Makate has a height of 1.75m.

Nkosana Makate Parents

Who are the parents of Nkosana Makate? Nkosana Makate’s parents are not known. However, we know that his mother was studying to be a teacher and his dad wasn’t part of his life.

Nkosana Makate Siblings

There is no information about the siblings of Nkosana Makate.

Nkosana Makate Career

In February 1995, Makate commenced his career at Vodacom as part of its trainee accounting program. Progressing through roles in the finance department, he eventually conceived the innovative “Please Call Me” service in 2000 while dating his future wife, Rebecca Makate, a medical student. Struggling with tight budgets, Makate envisioned a solution to communicate without the burden of excessive airtime costs – a free message requesting a callback.

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, 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 ranging 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.

Nkosana Makate Wife

Is Nkosana Makate married? Yes, Nkosana Makate is married to Rebecca Makate. Rebecca is a pediatrician and their union is blessed with three children.

Nkosana Makate Children

Does Nkosana Makate have any children? Yes, Nkosana has three children with his wife, Rebecca.

Nkosana Makate Net Worth

Nkosana Makate has an estimated net worth of R1 million.

Source: Ngnews247.com