Go for the validation, just have renew it each year. You can only renew your validation every year if you operate outside the borders of SA, if you fly within the borders also, you'll get a validation for a year and that's it. For the validation you'll have to pass an Air law and Procedures written exam, do a flight test with a DE, then will they only give you the validation. Once you hold the validation just write the Meteorology and Flight Planning And Performance exams, they will then issue you a converted SA license. This applies only to non SA residents.