Welshguy,
I can indeed point you to some places in South Africa who will organise hour building for you. I'm a bit rushed at the moment, but if you want to drop me a PM, I'll happily help out where I can. I can also explain the UK->SA license conversion process, provide you with the right names in the SA CAA to talk to, and point out where the UK CAA will try to screw up the process.
Flying in SA is great, can't recommend it enough. Lovely scenary, friendly people, and great restaurants to land at for lunch (cheap, too).