Nkosana Makate vs Vodacom: Court Battle Over Please Call Me Millions Funding

• Nkosana Makate's 18-year battle against Vodacom over his invention of Please Call Me concluded with a settlement in November 2025, but has been marked by ongoing funding disputes and accusations.
• Early funders of Makate's case had a serious falling out, with scandalous allegations flying in court papers as each vied to be declared the rightful heir to a share of Makate's winnings.
• A 2011 agreement signed by the now-deceased Chris Schoeman on behalf of Black Rock Mining has been at the heart of these disputes, with allegations of a conspiracy by Errol Elsdon and Wilma Lubbe to oust Schoeman from a share of the 40% that Makate's funding team were set to get.
• Elsdon is currently embroiled in a bitter fight to secure 40% of Makate's payout from Vodacom, with the courts and public opinion remaining divided over the rightful share of the winnings.

A complex web of accusations and funding disputes has surrounded the Please Call Me millions, a case that spans several courts in South Africa and one in London.

A complex web of accusations and funding disputes has surrounded the Please Call Me millions, a case that spans several courts in South Africa and one in London. At its center was Nkosana Makate's 18-year battle against Vodacom over his invention of Please Call Me, which concluded with a settlement in November 2025. Amidst the prolonged litigation with Vodacom, and now following its settlement, early funders of Makate's case had a serious falling out, with scandalous allegations flying in court papers as each vied to be declared the rightful heir to a share of Makate's winnings.

A 2011 agreement signed by the now-deceased Chris Schoeman on behalf of a company he would nominate to fund Makate's fight against Vodacom has been at the heart of these disputes. Various courts have accepted as fact that Black Rock Mining was nominated in 2013, but allegations of a conspiracy by Errol Elsdon and Wilma Lubbe to oust Schoeman from a share of the 40% that Makate's funding team were set to get in return for financing the inventor's case against Vodacom have flown in several court cases between 2015 and 2018. These allegations include claims of a romantic relationship between Schoeman and Lubbe, which they have confirmed.

The ongoing funding disputes over the Please Call Me millions may have significant implications for lawyers and compliance officers. The funding agreements and potential payouts at stake in these cases could impact clients' interests or obligations, making it essential for professionals to closely monitor these developments. As Elsdon's fight to secure 40% of Makate's payout from Vodacom continues, the courts and public opinion remain embroiled in a bitter dispute over the rightful share of the winnings.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the ongoing disputes over the Please Call Me millions, particularly in relation to the funding agreements and potential payouts, as these may impact their clients' interests or obligations.

Source: Original reporting via ITWeb