I can vouch for what woof has said.
The alternative is to get an SA medical, write all the PPL exams, apply for an SA student pilot's licence, and get a friendly SA class 2 instructor to examine you on a PPL skills test - hey presto - a full South African PPL. The actual PPL skills test is usually about the same length as the validation test.
At Cape Town try the Good Hope Flying Club at Cape Town International -
www.ghfc.org.za
There is another club at FACT and also a club or two at Stellenbosch.
While you there make sure you do fly down the Worcester valley whether it's in a glider as woof suggests or in a powered A/C - the views are stunning, and the up/down draughts make it a fun ride!
[ 01 December 2001: Message edited by: foghorn ]