Absa credit card - time waisting I think

I recently took the time to activate my Absa credit card At a branch this after many days of thinking should I. Took me about an hour, and the card was ready to use according to the consultant. Well guess what, first purchase I try make with the card and the transaction fails! I cannot make any purchase online or at store? What is going on, why can’t you activate it properly. I have checked the app and nothing showing either ..