Cancelled Flight Equals No Flight

I was Scheduled to travel to Japan via Hong Kong on Saturday (03-10-2015) with South African Airways Flight SA286. However due to inclement weather in Hong Kong the flight was cancelled. Understandably there was nothing the airline could have done about this.<br> <br> However After trying to rebook for the following day, I was informed there was no available seats. And that the next available flight was on 09-10-2015 almost a week later that my initial flight! Having paid for my accommodation and having a fixed itinerary this would be a very costly and cumbersome delay.<br> <br> I requested to be put on the flight waiting list for 05-10-2015 and after calling every hour on 04-10-2015, I was told that I was 5th on the waiting list and there was a good chance that I would make it onto the flight on 05-10-2015.<br> <br> Upon calling to check my status on 05-10-2015. I was told that I was still on the waiting list and now that I was 7th on the waiting list.<br> <br> I have a fully paid for and planned trip with absolutely no ticket or any reasonable form of recompense.<br> <br> I have previously been warned about the dismal service offered by SAA but this is the first time I have personal experience with the shameful service