ok,
If you are looking at a JAR approved school then you should be able to get a JAR PPL this means that you won't have to convert your license once you get back. If your looking at the states and it says FAA PPL then you WILL have to convert that when you get back home.
Personally my advise would be do your PPL here since here will be where you will do the majority of your flying most probably? If money is a problem then yes defiantely go to the states or South Africa. The BIG differences you will come across when you get home will be the weather but most of all the RT as it is totally different in the UK. I did my IMC in the states and found the transition to the RT quite a challenge, i can really say what South Africas like since i haven't been.
I'm sure if you email the schools you are looking at or phone them they'll be happy to tell you about the types of licenses, packages etc they will do for you.
All the best.