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Technics from a pawn shop etc.
This is a very budget dependent subject. I got myself a Clearaudio Concept which I love to bits, but I was also pleasantly surprised with the quality of the Pro-Ject Debut.
Always been a huge fan of the Technics SL1200 but for my purposes I decided that sound quality was more important. As satanboy said, those that you mentioned are novelty toys.
I have a set of the classic Technics SL1210's. If you're lucky enough to find one for sale, I'd opt for that. Very hard to break, but if anyone is silly enough to accomplish that, spares are still widely available although production on the turntable stopped in 2010. Whatever you do , stay away from belt drive turntables. Direct drive is what you want. There are plenty to choose from. Not so much in SA, but you could bring one in from Amazon. Stay well clear from those plastic toys being passed off as turntables as well. Those are junk (ION etc.)
This one is extremely good value, and from personal experience I can tell you that it is a very good turntable.
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q
Then have a look at http://www.croak.co.za/, also a reputable TT seller
Any direct drive turntable by definition is not as good as a belt driven turntable for playback because the motor is directly underneath the platter, they are good for dj'ing though.
Consider Rega and Pro-ject, the turntables are not cheap (starting at R3000) but are solid and do the job well.
Fair enough, but that's if you're delving into pure audiophile territory. The cost, and procurement of parts, for replacing a belt on a turntable is something one must consider as well. Direct drive eliminates that problem, unless the motor goes, but if you get a decent direct drive turntable, it can go through it's entire life without needing the motor replaced. Again, the Technics 1200/1210 is a perfect example of a turntable where this isn't ever a problem, especially if it's gonna be used purely for playback.