Won't get my number back

My number was on contract with vodacom and I have had a financial issue with payment of the account, so the account was in arrears and the number was deactivated. Now that I can afford to pay the contract off they say that I cant get my number back and will be given a new number after reactivation. What's the use of paying this account if I can't get my number back? I use that number for business so I can survive financially. I have lost so much business in the past 2weeks that this number is deactivated. No 1 can help from Vodacom. I am so frustrated regarding this.