I would sugest with your background and experience, and most importantly with your stated goals, you could give yourself a 5-year plan.
I don't know anything about SA's industry but I have been told it is a bit similar to ours in some ways.
If you wanted to go and fly jets for an airline I would be dubious, but fly in the bush... yaw yaw, go fer et men!
PS: I think $100,000 is pretty rich for bush/GA qualifications...?
