Fix line look alike phone, not on network

My next door neighbor received her new FLLA phone on 7 February. She's an elderly widower and I assisted her to unpack , setup and connect the phone. The network was not available yet. She went to the local Telkom Outlet in Mossel Bay , Langeberg Mall - with the phone - and after a lengthy wait was informed that the sim-card needs to be activated. It would take 3 days. Her landline , though , was disconnected within an hour or two after the new phone was delivered. On 12 Feb I phone the 081 180 number to enquire as it was still not active. I gave the iccdid no and was again informed that it would take another 48 hrs for the sim to be activated. Today , 15 Feb , it was still inactive and I phoned again. Went through the same process.... they will sent an sms when the line is activated. The lady who assisted me could not give a reference number , because "she just send and email to another section" Really , Telkom SA has got a brilliant marketing team , but their operational guys are most definitely ,not in step with!