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- 💼 💸 He Stared Goliath in the Face 💼 💸
17 NOVEMBER 2025
💰THE DIGITAL ECONOMY💰
"S’Phanda Sonke Online – Asambe"
"Empowering Youth and Communities to THRIVE in this DIGITAL ERA!”
“I'm not saying I'm gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world.” Tupac Shakur
He Stared Goliath in the Face
And Refused To Blink
Fellow Digital Revolutionary,
Today, we’re commencing a 3-part newsletter series dedicated to Nkosana Makate.
PART 1: THE WARRIOR WHO WOULDN'T BLINK
Nkosana Makate.
He fought Vodacom for 17 years.
Alone.
Exposed.
Frustrated.
Lost weight.
Imagine being 24 years old.
An accountant, not a tech genius or telecom expert.
Just someone who saw a problem and had an idea: "What if people could ask someone to call them back... for free?"
Three words. "Please Call Me."
That idea generated over R70 billion for Vodacom.
Seventy. Billion. Rands.
Vodacom's first offer to Makate?
R47 million.
That's less than 1% of what his idea earned.
Imagine them looking you in the eye and saying, "Here's your crumbs.
Be grateful."
Would you have taken it?
Most people probably told him to.
Family, friends, respected business people: "Bro, R47 million is life-changing. Take it. Move on. You're embarrassing yourself."
But Makate became more than a man with a good idea.
He became a warrior.
He looked at that R47 million, watched Vodacom's executives celebrate billions built on his idea, and said something every young South African should remember: "I know my worth. And it's not crumbs."
The 17-Year War You Didn't See
Let me take you briefly inside what 17 years of fighting a giant really looks like.
This isn’t a movie.
It’s real life.
2000: Makate, 24, working at Vodacom as an accountant.
He spots a problem, people run out of airtime but need to communicate urgently.
He has an idea: a free message system requesting a callback.
He pitches it internally.
2001: Vodacom launches "Please Call Me."
It’s a massive hit, one of the most used features in African telecom history.
Makate asks, "What about my compensation?"
Vodacom says, "We'll get back to you."
2006: Five years later, still no compensation.
Makate presses harder.
Vodacom replies, "You were an employee. It’s our intellectual property. You get nothing."
2008: Makate leaves Vodacom and starts legal proceedings. People say he’s crazy.
"You're fighting Vodacom? Do you know how many lawyers they have? You'll lose everything."
He knows. He fights anyway.
2008-2016: Eight years in court. Vodacom throws every legal trick at him, delay, dispute, deny, challenge jurisdiction.
They’re not just fighting Makate.
They’re fighting the idea that a Black employee could own something generating billions.
Makate’s life? Sleepless nights. Weight loss. Stress. Family worry. Opportunities slipping away because he's "that guy in a legal battle with Vodacom."
But every sleepless night wasn’t a weakness.
It was the cost of refusing to be stolen from.
Every kilogram lost wasn’t a defeat.
It was the weight of standing alone when everyone said, "Sit down."
Every person telling him to give up wasn’t helping.
They were protecting themselves from the discomfort of watching someone fight when they’d already surrendered.
2016: High Court rules in Makate’s favour. Vodacom must compensate him. Not victory yet. Vodacom appeals.
2017: Supreme Court of Appeal dismisses Vodacom’s appeal. Vodacom must negotiate fair compensation.
Vodacom offers R47 million.
Makate says, "That’s 0.06% of what my idea generated. No."
Vodacom: "That’s our final offer."
Makate: "Then I’ll see you in the Constitutional Court."
People say he’s insane.
R47 million is generational wealth.
His legal costs are piling up.
He could lose everything.
"Take the money, Nkosana. Please. You’ve made your point."
But here’s where Makate taught every young South African something worth more than R10 billion: When they offer you crumbs from a table YOU built, you don’t negotiate for more crumbs.
You demand your seat at the table.
2018-2024: Six more years. Constitutional Court. Vodacom’s lawyers argue, "He was an employee. Standard terms apply. He’s owed nothing more."
Makate’s lawyers push back: "He created something worth R70 billion. He deserves an equitable share."
February 2024: The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) rules again in Makate’s favour, dismissing Vodacom’s appeal.
Vodacom applies for leave to appeal to the Constitutional Court.
July 2025: The Constitutional Court refers the case back to the SCA.
November: Vodacom’s board approves an out-of-court settlement with Makate, ending the long-running dispute.
The settlement has been accounted for in Vodacom’s financials for the six months ending 30 September 2025.
Reports estimate Makate could receive between R350 million and R750 million under the settlement.
He won something bigger than money.
What He Actually Won
And What It Means For You RIGHT NOW
The Constitutional Court didn’t give Makate R10 billion. But it DID establish, at the highest court in South Africa, that a young Black employee who creates billion-rand digital innovations OWNS that value.
Do you get what that means?
Every young person in South Africa with a digital idea, a tech solution, or a platform concept has a legal precedent that their intellectual property is protected.
You can’t be exploited just because you’re young, Black, or "just an employee."
Makate built a R10 billion FOUNDATION.
Not in his bank account.
In South Africa’s digital economy, REALM.
He spent 17 years, lost weight, lost sleep, and fought alone, so YOU don’t have to fight that same fight.
The road is paved.
The precedent is set.
The question is: Will you walk the road he built? Or stand at the starting line asking, "Is it too late for me?"
Here’s what happens next, your choice:
This is Part 1 of a 3-part series.
Wednesday: I’m breaking down the EXACT weapons Makate used to survive 17 years of warfare.
Not motivation.
TACTICS.
The psychological protocols, the strategic patience, the unblinking focus you need when everyone says "give up."
Because you’re going to face your own "Vodacoms", clients who don’t pay, platforms that exploit you, and people who steal your ideas.
Makate’s weapons work.
I’ll show you how to use them.
Friday: The R10 Billion Mandate.
How we, as digital revolutionaries, turn Makate’s foundation into a TAKEOVER of the digital economy.
Not participating.
OWNING IT.
Not employees of telecom giants.
BUILDERS of the next telecom giants.
This is the best way to show your anger, not just merely making empty noise via social media platforms.
This is where ANGER leads to a TAKEOVER PLAN.
Asambe!
If this Part 1 of a 3-part series resonates with you, don't keep it to yourself.
Your revolution starts now.
🚀 See below, we’re back in full swing, sharing fresh digital economy opportunities, resources, insights and power moves designed for youth who are ready to level up and lead in the digital economy.
💡 These aren’t random links or generic info; they’re well-researched, globally applicable, battle-tested opportunities and insights built for you to start using and learning from.
Don’t just scroll past them. Use them. Act on them. Build something that outlives the hype. Own your piece of the digital economy.
Join the movement.
Learn. Create. Launch. Earn.
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https://newpittsburghcourier.com/2025/11/03/job-hunting-how-to-stay-safe-on-linkedin/
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https://techxplore.com/news/2025-10-smarter-employees-thwart-phishing-scams.html
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Where: Online
When: Tuesday, November 18th, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST
Step into an enlightening conversation with Guy Kawasaki — legendary marketer, venture capitalist, and Chief Evangelist at Canva. In this exclusive event, Guy will explore what makes people, ideas, and movements truly remarkable in the age of artificial intelligence. From the rise of creative tools that empower everyone to the evolving meaning of innovation and authenticity, this session will challenge you to think differently, act boldly, and lead with purpose. Prepare to be inspired by insights, stories, and lessons from one of the most influential voices of our time.
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