Unfortunately I don't think you'll easily find an airline ready to sponsor you (appart from SAA). Airlines doing sponsoring usually prefer people from their own country, not expats. I know BA is an exception to the rule, but you have AT LEAST to have the right to live and work in Europe.
Now regarding Emirates, I wouldn't be surprised if they had the same policy as Gulf Air:
"we hire expats if they have a type rating and experience, but we do ab-initio training for the smart guys born in the Gulf".
The only people who are ready to sponsor anybody (provided they have garantees) are the bankers. Give it also a try: have you got something to lose after all ?
Keep trying. Don't give up. The job is out there !
