Don't apply for a contract telephonically. The process has to be completed at an MTN shop so rather just go there to begin with.

I purchased a data only sim card over the phone with a MTN call center agent. I was told that my sim card and data would be activated withing 48hrs after putting the sim card into a cell phone. My sim card arrived 3 days after the purchase. The delivery process went well. I was instructed to give the driver my ID and proof of residence. I waited 3 days and my sim card was still not working. I attempted to call MTN with my sim card but I was told that my SIM card wasn't RICA'd and that I needed to go to a MTN shop (which defeats the purpose of doing it over the phone). I then called MTN with another cellphone and they told me that sometimes the SIM cards are activated but not RICA'd and that I needed to go to an MTN shop to complete the process. The call centre agent was very helpful and patient though.