(concept)About

Your coach - Johan Meiring van Zyl

I am a Personal Change Practitioner: a coach at (concept)Coaching, a counsellor at Chrysalis Counselling and a mentor, mediator, facilitator and trainer at MentorIT. I am based in Cape Town, South Africa, but I work throughout South Africa, in person, as well as globally, using modern communication and collaboration tools and techniques.


I am a former Credentialed Coach member of COMENSA (Coaches and Mentors of South Africa) and had served COMENSA in various roles, including Chair of the Western Cape Chapter, national Vice President and Acting National President. I support both COMENSA and the ICF (International Coach Federation) in South Africa, but my current focus is on my new venture, Coaching | South Africa.


For my sins I am also the current National Ombudsman for Mensa South Africa.

I hold a post-graduate Advanced Certificate in Counselling and Communications (with distinction) (specialising in Coaching as well as in Counselling) from the South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP), a BCom (Financial Accounting and Economics) degree from the University of Stellenbosch and a BCom (Hons) (Information Systems) degree from the University of Cape Town.

I have a special interest in working with people. Having initially worked in the Legal profession and Information Technology industry, I have increased my focus to work directly with people - in any profession. My current professional activities include coaching, counselling, mentoring, mediation, consulting, facilitation and training.

As a coach, I engage in confidential "discussions with purpose" with my clients, which usually lead to personal change and professional growth. I believe that coaching enables my clients to recognise and develop their inherent potential and improve their quality of life. In the workplace, I believe coaching can help leaders take responsibility and act to maximise their own potential.

As a mentor, I work with talented professionals in various management roles and positions, assisting them to grow their knowledge, skill, confidence, expertise and success. I believe mentoring is a partnership through which one person shares knowledge and perspective to foster the development and growth of another.

What some of my clients are saying:

"After 4 sessions I feel more confident in my professional abilities and feel that I can still make a career for myself even though I have 3 young children to look after. I am now proud of my many work experiences and Johan helped me highlighting achievements and know-hows so that to better sell myself next time I go to an interview. My objectives for the future are also clearer. I will not 100% re-skill but maybe refresh and specialise in the field I studied 10 years ago. Thank you Johan for empowering me."

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""I truly admire and respect you. You are a brilliant coach and mentor. Thanks for helping me to focus on what is really important and for caring enough to tell me where I may need corrective action. You have enriched my life and I can never thank you enough."

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"I just wanted to share this good news with you. Because you too had a role in my securing this one. You helped me help myself and, as you always say find the answers within me- and indeed I have found many answers within me. As a result am becoming a better person everyday. Thank you for the whole experience."

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"Being your coachee opened my mind and I can say that I gained a beautiful skill in thinking."

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"The journey was an incredible and growth one for me. A life changing experience in fact."

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"This is a shout out and big thanks to Johan M Van Zyl who facilitated a strategy meeting for "The Long Shots" Improvised Comedy Troupe last night. His listening is outstanding, his observations are keen and his gentle and solid approach kept our conversation on track."

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"Thanks again for a very constructive and useful meeting earlier this week. I have no doubt our paths will cross again in the future and I am glad you are in my network."

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"It has been an absolute pleasure working with you. I would really encourage anyone who is in a similar predicament as me, to get help from a coach like you."

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"You have made me believe in myself again and that I can do whatever I put my mind to."

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"I definitely found working with a coach an excellent experience and I know you will be able to make lots of clients very happy with your coaching."

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"Ek sal Johan ten volle aanbeveel. Hy het my situasie baie professioneel hanteer en my dadelik op my gemak laat voel. Hy het my gehelp om weer perspektief te kry oor my situasie en deur sy oefen tegnieke toe te pas in my lewe, glo ek ek sal net groei as 'n mens en in my loopbaan. Baie dankie Johan; jy het regtig 'n groot verskil gemaak."

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