I know of manual labourers getting more than that.I started with R2500 pm as an intern up until I got into a graduate programme...
You guys do know where Plettenberg Bay us, right? It's not a long shot to say that that is the only dev job available in a 100km radius (next being George where salaries are **** too)
I doubt you'd get much more starting out in Port Elizabeth. Imo your advice in getting a higher salary us only valid if he moves to Durban, PTA, JHB or [-]Mountain Goat[/-] Cape Town :/
Pretty much that.
I started with 20k in Pta when I started out.