My first thoughts would be similar to Irvs. I would say that an interest at your age can only be healthy, but I would caution you against jumping straight in with a £3000 course. Try and make sure that it's really what you want to do before committing all that money. Once you're sure (and believe me it won't take long!), do the usual routes of getting into the air with whoever you can , whenever you can.
With regard to the courses in SA, the FTC course includes all accommodation AND food, as well as the usual exams, 45 hours flying etc. so the price of £3500 (+£4-500 for a flight) is all you need to have. Granted it's only a saving of a grand on your initial figure. Ormond Beach in the US do a £2995 (JAA) course over 3 weeks, but I can't speak to it knowledgeably. Maybe someone else can give you a review?
Best of luck, and don't forget to tell Santa that you want a PPL for Christmas!!
Grim
