SAA Shocking Service-as usual

Had flight from CT to PE booked. Departure was 6am. Arrived at 5:20... Went to electronic check-in counter which said go to ticket counter. Waited in que to check in. All SAA reps were very slow and non helpful... As usual. By the time I got to counter it was 5:30am. SAA rep said flight was closed?! I had no luggage to check. I could have comfortably gotten through security and boarded before scheduled flight time of 6am. I was referred to superviser Kholi Dlakavu who showed zero empathy or concern for the matter saying that flight was closed and I must pay for new flight. No attempt to make a plan given that I was theoretically on time. Terrible service... Not the first time either! SAA is one of the only airlines that is ever so apathetic.... And I have flown at least 150 occassions globally.