Unnecessary Upgrade Costs

I have been paying for my cellphone contract for over 5 years while it was in my fathers' name, On Wednesday 28 March, I decided to move my contract onto my name, and happened to be able to upgrade my phone at the same time. After finally getting the contract into my name I was told that I qualified to get an upgrade. The price of the upgrade I chose is R299 per month and is roughly the same amount as my current monthly payment, perhaps even less, and after being told I qualify for the upgrade I chose to take both the device (Huawei P20 Lite) and plan (uChoose Flexi 120). A few days later I was contacted to say that I actually don't qualify and need to go into the store to choose a new phone. Already frustrated by this, I was told in store that in order to get the phone and plan I had chosen I needed to pay a ridiculous amount of money up front for the phone in order to show that I can pay for the monthly costs that are the same as what I've been paying for the last 5 years (without missing a payment). Furthermore I was told that after 3 to 6 months of paying my account I could apply to "maybe" be allowed to have the contract I want at the price I've been paying for the last 5 years. I find it ridiculous that I am qualified and earn a full salary every month (and have for the last 5 years), but am unable to receive a contract that costs R299 per month. I refuse to believe that the paperwork I have handed in shows no proof that I am capable of paying for this contract, and that I do not qualify for it. If this is the case, I will gladly end my contract and move to another service provider that will allow me to choose the phone and plan that I want, seeing as I am the customer and will be paying the account myself.

I would not like to be contacted by a salesman as this complaint is not for a specific store, but for Vodacom as a cellphone provider. I would like to be contacted by someone that can assist me.

I look forward to hearing from someone soon.