Activation of sim on contract

Monday 31st August I app**** for new phone and contract online. I received my device on Tuesday morning. On Monday they told us the phone should charge for 8 hours. Tuesday they tell me 16 hours. I kept it on charge for 16 hours. I then switch it on, but the sim is not activated yet. I phone in again, something went wrong, they never activated the sim. So I went to my local vodacom shop, bought a new sim, phoned them again to activate it. The lady tells me I need to keep the sim out of the phone for 5 hours. Still the sim is not activated. I phone AGAIN, another lady tells me I shouldn't put the sim back in for 16 hours!!! Now I am irritated. I again take the sim out. Last night around 18:00, the sim swop was done, but still my new sim not activated. I took the sim out for the whole night. This morning, still no activation on my sim. I spoke to a lady again to activate my line. She said it will take around 15 minutes. So I waited 25 minutes and tried again, not activated. AGAIN I phone, spoke to a manager, he said the sim swop failed. Really? When will I be able to use my new phone???