Absolute terrible service

So on the morning of 27/12/17 I was meant to fly from Johannesburg to east london at 6:45. So after I had already done my check in and selected my seat the night before online, I arrived at the airport to check my luggage in at 6:00, 45 mins prior to my flight. Upon arrival I was immediately told the gates are closed sorry. I then asked how are the gates closed 45 mins prior to the flight. In response I was simply told sorry the gates are closed. Now stressing as I a meant to be in east london urgently, I asked what do I do now then? So he referred me to the help desk where I explained the situation and explained once again I have already checked in online and all, the only thing the guy checking in had to do was check my bag in. As well as that I was there 45 mins prior and I questioned how can the gate be closed 45 mins prior to the flight.! After this lady taking her time I was sent to a supervisor at 6:31 at this point the gate is obviously closed, I am super annoyed and stressed as I am now fighting a losing battle to be on that early flight. So the supervisor said all that I can do now is reschedule. However I would have to pay a penalty fee. So I last it completely, why must I pay for the reschedule and penalty fee when this was not my error at all. I was there 45 mins prior the flight, having checked in already making the people’s jobs so much easier and then I get told I am late the gates are closed. That is just not right.

So I went to reschedule and to get in the earliest and next flight they wanted me to pay 1300 for a one way ticket which was almost the same price as my orginal return ticket of 1600 so I said there is no way I am paying that. So now I had to cancel my plans in east london cause I was simply ****ed around and the earliest flight I could book that would not have cost me my leg was on the 3/01/18 at 400.

I would like for Kulula to contact me and sort this out properly. If they are respectful enough to sort out an issue that their staff made and to try resolve a huge inconvenience to made for me.