UPDATE: Vodacom responds following #PleaseCallMe protest in Midrand
MIDRAND – Negotiations, which were conducted on a confidential basis between Vodacom and Nkosana Makate, have 'deadlocked'.
Update, 2pm
Vodacom spokesperson, Byron Kennedy, has provided a statement following protest action outside Vodaworld in Midrand today, 7 December.
“In line with the Constitutional Court Order, the matter is now before Vodacom Group’s CEO for consideration as negotiation between the two parties have ‘deadlocked’,” said Kennedy.
“Negotiations between the parties were conducted on a confidential basis and Vodacom will neither breach nor undermine the letter and spirit of the confidentiality undertakings made in agreements entered with [Nkosana] Makate in this regard.
“In the consideration of the matter, the Vodacom Group CEO is reviewing submission presented to him by both parties and will make a decision in due course.”
In 2016, the constitutional court ordered the giant network provider to pay Makate for the invention of the service. Vodacom reportedly offered Makate a settlement of R10 million which he refused.
Makate developed the ‘Please Call Me’ product in November 2000.
Update, 11.45am:
The Please Call Me Movement has vowed to shutdown Vodacom until their memorandum of demands are met.
Organisers held a protest at Vodaworld in Midrand today, 7 December, as Vodacom is yet to pay ‘please call me’ inventor, Noksana Makate.
One of the leaders of the movement, Oupa Leephoto said, “We handed over a memorandum on 18 July to find out when a settlement with Makate will be reached, what are the demographics of Vodashop owners and why has the KPMG not made public the report is made on Makate’s compensation.”
In 2016, the constitutional court ordered the giant network provider to pay Makate for the invention of the service. Vodacom reportedly offered Makate a settlement of R10 million which he refused.
Since then the two parties have failed to reach a settlement.
Makate developed the ‘Please Call Me’ product in November 2000.
Leephoto claimed that Vodacom has a track record of not paying its inventors. “We have to stop this corporate bullying,” he said.
The Midrand Reporter is on the scene and awaiting comment from Vodacom.
— Nomonde Buthelezi (@Nomonde_B) December 7, 2018
Earlier, 9am:
Motorists are urged to avoid 14th Road as protesters have taken to the streets to conduct a ‘total shutdown’ outside of Vodaworld in Midrand this morning, 7 December.
Earlier this year, the Please Call Me Movement protested outside the gates of Vodaworld in Midrand on Mandela Day, 18 July.
The reason for the protest was that network provider had not yet paid a former employee best known for inventing the Please Call Me concept, Nkosana Makate.
The movement has taken to the streets again this morning, demanding that Makate be paid for his invention. One sign board among protesters reads, “Vodacom stop racism.”
The Midrand Reporter is awaiting comment from the network provider and will provide more details as they become available.
Total shutdown. Come join #pleasecallme movement. Midrand, Vodaworld pic.twitter.com/5lSCJDdaV9
— #Pleasecallme Movement🇿🇦 (@modise_setoaba) December 7, 2018
MIDRAND
PROTEST ACTION on 14th Road near Vodaworld – QUEUING TRAFFIC travelling South.#JHBTraffic #JacaTraffic
— Jacaranda FM Traffic (@jaca_traffic) December 7, 2018
#pleasecallme movement is not a political party and will never play or claim that space.
Ours is a fight against corporates who rob black people their intellectual property.
7 December 2018 Friday, shutdown vodacom vodaworld midrand for #paymakate. pic.twitter.com/Bo4oJq4iy5
— #Pleasecallme Movement🇿🇦 (@modise_setoaba) December 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/ace_d_house_cat/status/1070973247997530112
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Earlier this year:
