Question NW645 to the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
30 April 2024 - NW645
Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Whether, with reference to the case between Mr Nkosana Makate and Vodacom regarding the intellectual property ownership of the Please Call Me concept, which has been of public interest for many years, his department has explored the veracity of Vodacom’s claims that paying Mr Nkosana Makate what is rightfully due to him would affect the company’s contribution to public finances; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what role has his department played in protecting creatives like Mr Makate from corporate exploitation?
Reply:
I have been informed by the Department as follows:
1. No. The Department does not involve itself in the operations of companies, in regard to intellectual property issues among a myriad of other matters, be they traded or publicly listed. The company therefore has a fiduciary duty to comply with all financial, legal and regulatory obligations in regard to its contributions to the fiscus.
2. This does not fall within the mandate of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies but rather the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
I thank you.