For around €35,000 you can get a full Multi CPL in South Africa, including all your accommodation and meal costs. Then, being mature, you could add on an instructor's rating for another €7,500 and get a job with a flight school in South Africa to build up your hours. They prefer older pilots as instructors because of the maturity factor.
There is no other career to match being an airline pilot. I've been flying for 25 years, currently converting onto the A340 with the B737-200 and -300 and B747-400 under my airline belt and B1900, B200, BE90, BE99, DHC6, DC3, C501, UH1 and R44 prior to starting my airline career. I flew charter, corporate, skydivers, UN, Red Cross, US Army and for a commuter airline prior to my current job.
I started with my current airline at 31 and 12 years later I am about 1 to 2 years away from my first command and have never regretted my career choice.
Good luck and don't give up on your dream!!