Erich, I always feel that there are others far more knowledgeable than I when it comes to sharpening as I do not believe I have neither the skills nor experience to call my self proficient. But here is my two pennyworth anyway. Oh, and I have not used an oil stone for years as I considered them to be too messy.
Get yourself a side clamp guide like the eclipse. Not sure of the availability in SA but easy to find in the UK. Like the one seen here:-
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodw ... one-pleaseThis will give you a nice sharp (as sharp as can be expected with an oil stone) and consistent edge at the right angle. Great for chisels but it will leave you with nice sharp corners on the edges of the plane irons that will leave "tram lines" when smoothing a large surface. If you are only truing wood narrower than the plane iron then this is not a problem. If you need to smooth a large surface than those corners need to be knocked off. I manage this with mine by applying pressure on each side as there is just enough tilt to allow this to happen. I am not sure if that is possible with all guides of that style.
I suggest you give that a try and see how you get on with the tools you've got and the wood you are working on. If you are not happy with the results than there are a zillion other methods of getting the perfect edge which can be daunting to the uninitiated.
Different woods, differing grains will require differing levels of sharpness. Plenty of info on the web
FWIW I use a combination of diamond stones and Scary Sharp.
Years of membership on many woodworking forums has led me to conclude that you have to find out what is right for you when in comes to sharpening systems as everyone with have a different opinion.
Hope this helps. Very easy to get too bogged down in the subject.
I do not think therefore I do not am.
cheers
Andy