They said ELTs were not required in S. Africa and I was wondering if 1) that was true
A bit off, but since you asked here it is from the South African CAR:
Emergency locator transmitter
91.04.26 (1) No owner or operator of –
(a) an aircraft to be operated on extended flights over water or over areas
where search and rescue would be especially difficult;
(b) an aeroplane with a maximum certificated mass exceeding 5 700 kg;
(c) a helicopter with an approved passenger seating configuration of more
than 19 seats; or
(d) any South African registered aircraft engaged in an international commercial
air transport operation;
shall operate such aircraft unless it is equipped with one or more approved
emergency locator transmitters (ELTs).
It goes into further detail, but this should answer your question. You can find the regulations on the SACAA's website.