I spent six months at FTC doing JAA Groundschool from June to Dec last year. I have now completely finished all my flight training and had no problem passing my exams. The quality of groundschool was good enough although certain issues did effect the regularity of classes. The instructors were good, irrespective of being JAA or SACAA. (Principles of flight are the same wherever you are in the world). I didn't however return to FTC for my commercial as it is indeed a school with problems, and I now believe the cost is not that much less than staying in the uk. I would encourage anyone to go to South Africa as it is such an awesome experience and certainly opens your eyes to the world, though I don't particularly endorse FTC as a company I would get involved with again.
Their accomodation is indeed in a dodgy area of town and the security guards do sit there shooting at shadows on a nighlty basis. After 6 months it became such a regular event we became used it and thought nothing of it, preferring to spend our time in the local pub.
South Africa - thumbs up
FTC - thumbs down