Jetgate - It's probably true of any country where you have 'room to fly' - it just 'refreshes' everything, flying like that.
As for SA, for info for others, I just got my UK licence validated out there in SA - (proficiency check type flight, plus SA Air Law exam, and paperwork. An SA R/T was issued on the basis of my UK R/t - not that it helped the controllers understand me first time every time ).
TIP for validating abroad if you have a Class 1 medical: Unfort, I forgot to take a 'sticker' for the medical (my class one expires in Sept, but it's valid for private for longer) - the validation therefore is only issued to Sept, whereas it could have gone for a full year - not sure whether I'll need it, we'll see! These stickers for Class 1s to explain to foreign authorites that the medical extends further than the 'obvious' expiry date, and are available from the CAA medical dept.
ps: Seminars: repeat anywhere as soon as 4 or 5 want it!