POOR COMMUNICATION - VODACOM DOES NOT ASK ABOUT KEEPING EXISTING NUMBERS ON NEW CONTRACTS

I ordered a phone and Red Flexi contract on the Vodacom website. Before I ordered the phone, I Googled whether it's possible to keep my existing number and found something on the Vodacom website that said yes, it is. However, nowhere did it say that I need to stipulate this when I order the phone. When I ordered it, I was not asked online or by the consultant if I want to keep my number. When I got the phone and tried to do the sim swap by SMS, it was unsuccessful. So, it's very poor communication from Vodacom's side. I have now lost my number that I've had for over 15 years - thanks Vodacom for the administrative nightmare you have caused for me!!!!