Junior Web Developer

Kontak Recruitment; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 112,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

Kontak Recruitment is seeking a Junior Web Developer for its Port Elizabeth client. This entry-level role offers hands-on learning, mentorship from experienced developers and exposure to live web projects.

You will learn Ruby on Rails, work with PostgreSQL, and contribute to maintenance and feature development. A proactive learner who can solve problems and asks thoughtful questions will thrive here, with clear growth paths and salary progression based on performance.

Qualifications

• Matric certificate is required; driver’s license a plus.
• Some exposure to software or web development.
• Basic understanding of programming concepts and how web applications work.
• Evidence of genuine interest in development (personal projects, coursework, etc.).
• Able to learn Ruby on Rails and pick up new tech quickly.
• Understanding relational databases is advantageous.
• Willing to learn and accept feedback to improve.

Responsibilities

• Learn existing systems, coding standards and workflows.
• Support maintenance of existing web-based projects.
• Assist with bug fixes, testing and small development tasks during learning.
• Build and update website features and back-end functionality.
• Work with Ruby on Rails, PostgreSQL and related technologies.
• Read and review existing code to understand structure.
• Test thoroughly before submission or release.
• Take ownership of increasingly complex tasks as you learn.

Skills

Learning mindset

Curiosity

Problem solving

Self-motivated

Education

Matric certificate

Tools

Ruby on Rails

PostgreSQL

MySQL

Job description

Junior Web Developer job vacancy in Port Elizabeth.

A growing digital agency based in Port Elizabeth builds and maintains a portfolio of web-based products for a range of clients. The team operates lean, moves quickly and gives developers the opportunity to become genuinely involved in the projects they work on.

This is an entry-level opportunity for someone with exceptional potential rather than an established developer with years of experience. The client is looking for that rare individual who is naturally curious, technically minded and able to learn quickly. You may be self-taught, recently qualified or still building your commercial experience. What matters most is that you can demonstrate an aptitude for development, a genuine interest in technology and the determination to work through problems rather than waiting for someone else to provide the answer.

You will initially work alongside experienced team members, learning the existing systems, assisting with maintenance and developing your technical capability. As your knowledge and confidence grow, you will be given increasing responsibility for projects and features of your own.

The salary will start between R10,000 and R15,000 per month, based on your current ability. The company follows a straightforward performance-based growth model: the faster you learn, contribute and make yourself valuable to the business, the sooner you can be considered for increased responsibility and salary progression.

What’s in it for you:

• An opportunity to begin or accelerate your career in software development
• Direct guidance and practical exposure to experienced developers
• The chance to work on live web-based products rather than only internal training exercises
• Increasing project responsibility as your skills develop
• Exposure to Ruby on Rails, relational databases and modern web-development practices
• Experience using AI-assisted development tools such as Claude and Codex
• A clear path toward becoming an independent developer and, over time, progressing into a senior or technical leadership role
• A stable, office-based working environment in Port Elizabeth
• Salary growth linked to learning, contribution and the value you bring to the team

Minimum Requirements:

• Matric certificate
• Valid driver’s licence
• Some practical exposure to software or web development
• A basic understanding of programming concepts and how web applications work
• Evidence of genuine interest in development, such as personal projects, coursework, freelance work, GitHub repositories or applications you have built
• The ability and willingness to learn Ruby on Rails
• A basic understanding of databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL or another relational database would be advantageous
• Comfortable using AI development tools while still reading, questioning and understanding the code they generate
• Strong problem-solving ability and willingness to research solutions independently
• Able to accept feedback, apply what has been taught and avoid repeatedly requiring guidance on the same issue
• Reliable, responsible and willing to take ownership of assigned work
• A completed university qualification is not required. Candidates who started but did not complete a degree or diploma will still be considered, provided they have Matric, a valid driver’s licence and can demonstrate the aptitude and commitment required for the position.

Key Responsibilities:

• Learning the company’s existing systems, development standards and project workflows
• Supporting the maintenance of existing web-based projects
• Assisting with bug fixes, testing and smaller development tasks during the initial learning period
• Building and updating website features, administrative systems and back-end functionality
• Working with Ruby on Rails, PostgreSQL and related web technologies
• Reading and reviewing existing code to understand how applications have been structured
• Using AI-assisted development tools responsibly and reviewing generated code critically
• Testing work thoroughly before it is submitted or released
• Investigating technical problems and attempting practical solutions before escalating
• Applying feedback from senior team members and continuously improving the quality of your work
• Taking ownership of increasingly complex tasks, features and projects as your capability develops
• Maintaining the projects and features assigned to you once you are ready to work more independently

The Type of Person Who Will Succeed:

• You do not need to know everything when you start, but you must be someone who learns quickly and takes responsibility for your own development. You should enjoy experimenting, researching, asking thoughtful questions and figuring out how things work.
• The right person will not use AI simply to produce code they do not understand. You will be expected to read the output, question it, test it and explain what it does. You should be comfortable making mistakes while learning, but equally committed to applying feedback and improving each time.
• This opportunity will suit someone who is hungry to build a long‑term development career and understands that greater responsibility and salary progression will be earned through demonstrated growth, consistent contribution and increasing value to the business.