WELCOME TO COMENSA

COACHES & MENTORS OF SOUTH AFRICA

In a world of constant change, coaching and mentoring are playing an
increasing role in empowering future generations to realise their full potential.
To meet this need, COMENSA ensures that the highest standard of professional
service is provided by serving as the globally recognised, self-regulatory,
professional body for coaching and mentoring in South Africa.
Watch video
Join us

ABOUT COMENSA

Inspire | Enlighten | Empower

We provide a platform for all stakeholders to engage, educate,
exchange, and evolve in pursuit of best practice.

We support the ongoing evolution of coaches and mentors through
the promotion of diversity, inclusion, education, and networking
through our community of practitioners.

We reinforce professionalism through a process of credentialing,
the maintenance of participation and continued education tracking.

Discover more

COACHING VS MENTORING

Understanding the difference

shutterstock_406602010

COACHING

COMENSA defines coaching as “a professional, collaborative and outcomes-driven method of learning that seeks to develop an individual and raise self-awareness so that he or she might achieve specific goals and perform at a more effective level”.

Read more

COACHING VS MENTORING

COACHING VS MENTORING

Find a coach
shutterstock_1447125902

MENTORING

COMENSA defines mentoring as “a partnership in which a mentee is assisted in making significant advances in knowledge, perspective and vision in order to develop their full potential; the mentor’s wisdom is utilised by the mentee to facilitate and enhance new learning and insight”.

Read more

COACHING VS MENTORING

COACHING VS MENTORING

Find a mentor

The benefits of JOINING COMENSA

As you progress from the first step of registering with COMENSA as a Student or Ordinary Member, you will enjoy an increasing array of benefits.

Find more information on which category of membership you qualify for as well as the detail of our very affordable membership fees on our Membership page. 

Learn more first
Join us

Free attendance to events

Multiple events are hosted by our regional chapters and professional committees each month. Check out the events calendar

Professional recognition

Credentialing with COMENSA as a coach or mentor will give you a SAQA recognised designation and reinforce your professional credibility

Get
discovered

Our members are listed and identified by their credential status in our highly popular directory of COMENSA coaches and mentors

Advance your learning

Whether kick starting your studies or advancing your knowledge, one of our COMENSA approved Training Programmes should meet your need

Earn your
CPD points

We provide numerous qualifying events and resources, and help you keep track of your Continuous Professional Development points

Free news and events

Stay up to date with our newsletter, packed with news from our portfolio committees and chapter chairs, info on events and special offers

Training Provider Programme (TPP)

How do Training Provider Programmes work, and why are they vital to the coaching and mentoring professions?

The extensive array of COMENSA approved Training Provider Programmes are vetted to strict standards to further the development of coaches and mentors, helping them maintain their CPD points as well as to stay abreast of rapidly developing industry knowledge.

Learn more first
Comensa-Gold

FIND

Further your development and earn Continuous
Professional Development points.
Search

APPLY

Please register with COMENSA to access our
online application portal to have your
programme approved. 

Apply now

EVENT CALENDAR

COMENSA holds a diverse range of events each month, providing insight to the latest coaching and mentoring trends and developments, and the opportunity to earn CPD points.

COMENSA prides itself on the diverse range of events held every month. Providing insight to the latest coaching and mentoring trends and developments.

Each event is hosted by one of our four regional chapters: Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and Limpopo, or by the specialised portfolio committees: Supervision, Marketing, Membership Criteria and Standards of Competence (MCSC), Research, or Social and Ethics.

The majority of our events are presently hosted online and are available free to everyone registered with COMENSA. If you are not yet registered, join us now to have access to this invaluable resource.

Face to face networking events will be returned to as soon as appropriate and will be held in each of the regions. Attendance is free for members and attracts a small fee for non-members.

Newsflash

You are worthy as a coach and you deserve to treat yourself accordingly. 

President & VP update

Dear Members of COMENSA,

As COMENSA and SABPP, we have signed to renew and strengthen our partnership for a further three years(until November 2025). Together we aim to continue to add value to each organisation’s members and meet the set objectives of our partnership. These include, but not limited to, developing a South African Coaching and Mentoring Standard and a South African Coaching and Mentoring Competency Framework. We look forward to hosting our joint events in 2023 which will build on the success of the events held this year.

We committed ourselves to collaborate on the following professional areas common to both:

  1. Research and development in relation to coaching and mentoring;
  2. Capacity building in organisations through coaching and mentoring;
  3. Coaching and mentoring of HR candidates and interns on the HR Candidate Programme; and Internship Programmes.
  4. Coaching and mentoring of university students.
  5. Development of a South African Coaching and Mentoring Standard.
  6. Development of a South African Coaching and Mentoring Competency Framework.
  7. Supervision of coaches and mentors.
  8. Continuing professional development (CPD).
  9. Quarterly e-Mag and or publications on coaching and mentoring.
  10. Joint breakfast sessions on topical coaching and mentoring topics and for capacity building.
  11. Participation on the Coaching and Mentoring Committees of both organisations (Task Team).

Allow me to take this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed to where we are in terms of this partnership. My heartfelt gratitude goes to the Task Team members from both professional bodies and to Rodene Dye (who holds dual membership), Elona Hlatswayo and Jo Searle, who continues to represent us. Myself and the Board of Directors will be reviewing the representation mandate and will communicate to those affected by the pending decision.

I agree with John F Kennedy who asserted that partnership is not a posture but a process- a continuous process that grows stronger each year as we devote ourselves to common tasks. Let us therefore dedicate ourselves to our focus areas as we investigate the imminent successes of both organisations. We remain optimistic as we look into the future.

Yours In the Coaching and Mentoring Fraternity.

Mokadi Mathye

National President: +2783 325 4676           

November Newsflash – VP
I was reading an article by Robert Glazer around yes and no. He mentioned the importance of saying yes early in our career to take up all the opportunities that we can so that we learn and grow, we discover what works for us and what does not. With the new learning, as we mature, we can be more discerning about our choices. We can view opportunities as to their relevance to the path that we are on, we learn to say no more effectively as we align our focus, passion, energy or purpose.

A lot of the work we do as coaches is supporting our clients to make better choices for themselves about saying yes and no.

We partner with them to gain new perspectives, opportunities and ways of being , to say yes to stretching out of their comfort zones to new possibilities and goals. We also work with clients about putting boundaries in place, effectively saying no to people and things that do not serve them, which is challenging for many people pleasers.

The questions I have for you to reflect on are:
  • What are you saying yes to when you want to say no?
  • What are you saying no to when you could be saying yes?
Veronica

Event Reminder:
University of Johannesburg and COMENSA are holding a panel discussion:
Coaching from an Intercultural Perspective on 16 November 2022 at 13h00.
Click Here To Register
Social & Ethics Committee

Dear Coaching and Mentoring community,
I hope you are mentally, physically and spiritually well!
 
2022 has been a fruitful year for the COMENSA, with a focus on transformation that led us down a path that explored Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity (DEI). 
 
Diversity is about a deliberate effort towards inclusion.  Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilisation ~ Mahatma Gandhi. 
 
As a coach how do you bring diversity, equity and inclusivity awareness into your coaching sessions?  A first step would be to guide your clients to recognise the cultural differences around them, embrace and appreciate this difference, discourage judgmental thoughts and behaviour, and encourage inclusion, through a deliberate effort. 

Once we bring the uniqueness of society together for a common goal, we start feeling a sense of purpose, appreciation and belonging.  Remind your client that diversity is having a seat at the table; inclusion is having a voice and belonging is having that voice be heard.  Every voice matters!
 
Maya Angelou said: “We should all know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry and we must understand that all the threats of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their colour” 
                                             
We look forward to sharing more insight with you in 2023, be mindful of taking the opportunity to prioritise time for yourself in this present moment to clear your mind before getting back on track to make 2023 one of your best years!

Until then the SEC would like to wish you and your loved one’s joy and peace for the festive season and a blessed New Year!
 
With Love & Light
Ashnee Naidoo – SEC Chair
SEC@comensa.org.za
Research Committee

COMENSA Research Committee
Written by: Rosieda Shabodien
Newsletter Article November 2022
Watch out! You Might Be Replaced by Coach Robot.
 
How many books or peer-reviewed articles did you read for 2022? The goal I have set for myself for 2022 is to read at least 24 peer-reviewed coaching articles. We as coaches have no option but to do this if we want to ensure that our coaching intervention is not only informed by intuition, our unique life experiences and pragmatism but importantly guided by empirical coaching evidence.

The other reason why we need to keep up to date with the latest research is that I heard, via the coaching grapevine, that we are going to be replaced by a robot coach alternatively called an AI chatbot coach!  I am not going off my rocker when I tell you that the robots are coming for us! To get to know your A to Z about AI coaching I suggest that the fascinating research done by Terblanche, Molyn, de Haan and Nillson (2022) is an excellent place to start. Essentially, their research sought to determine whether human coaches or AI coach would be more effective at assisting clients to achieve their goals. And the winner was…cue for drumroll. They said, “Surprisingly however, the AI coach was as effective as human coaches at the end of the trial.” The human coach and the AI coach were both winners! The article then proceeds to line out the implication of these findings – more coaches for all. My take on from all of this is that human coaches must make sure that we strive to deliver coaching interventions for our clients that are backed up by preeminent research since our clients have options and might either flock to or be poached by Coach chatbot.

Terblanche, N., Molyn, J., Haan, E. D., & Nilsson, V. O. (2022). Comparing artificial intelligence and human coaching goal attainment efficacy. PLOS ONE, 17(6), e0270255. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270255
Supervision Committee

          “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
 
During the October month the SPC (the Supervision Portfolio Committee) held two events. 
 
The SPC and the Gauteng Chapter
Thank you to the Gauteng chapter who hosted this event for us.
Gorette Doria spoke on the topic of “Our country’s diversity is one of our many strengths.  How are you as a coach or mentor experiencing this?” 
The participants then had an experience of supervision in several breakaway rooms.
We look forward to partnering again with all chapters next year. 
 
Our Community of Practice (CoP)
This event is for supervisors from all regions to join an online conversation of sharing and gaining insights. 
Next year these will take place quarterly.
 
Wellness Tip:
Try 4-7-8 Breathing to help calm your brain, lower your stress levels and blood pressure. 
There are many health sites online to explain the exact process to get these benefits.         

 

Investigations Committee

COMENSA Investigations Portfolio Committee
Newsletter: November 2022
Nhlanhla Mafarafara
Progress is made one step at a time. Little by little the Investigation Committee has made significant progress since its inception. From establishing a functional interim structure with two members to an established committee, this calls for a good end of year celebration indeed.
 
While more has been achieved, the committee still calls for two more volunteers to strengthen the work currently being done. For those who do not know, being a COMENSA volunteer is not work, it is education, networking and sharpening your mind that shall add value to your coaching and mentoring journey. It only takes five skill sets to be a volunteer in this committee and any other area where you want to add a distinctive mark:
  1. Be a member of COMENSA in good standing.
  2. Be driven by your passion for coaching, for COMENSA and for contribution.
  3. Be keen to work in a team.
  4. Be eager to take initiative or contribute in one.
  5. Reliability.
Should you wish to volunteer or have questions, please get in touch with us by emailing: investigations@comensa.org.za
The committee has recently crafted and almost finalised all the tools and guidelines for the portfolio and shall be testing the applicability thereof.  In the not so distant future, there will be a national event to bring members up to speed with what is really expected of the investigation committee and what it means for you as a COMENSA member.
 
The committee would like to also congratulate Steph Dawson-Cosser for taking up the position of Vice-Chair for the committee.
MCSC Committee

MCSC – Membership Criteria & Standards of Competence Committee

How Professional are we?
 
Professionalism: It’s NOT the job you DO, it’s HOW you DO the job.
 
Based on the definition from the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, professionalism most commonly means the state or practice of doing one’s job with skill, competence, ethics, and courtesy.
Professionalism is based on the word professional, which is commonly used as an adjective to describe someone who works in this way—someone who shows professionalism. Professionalism is shown by people who take their work seriously and respect the people they work with.
As coaches and mentors, we need to ensure we are professional when we coach and/or mentor. And that means also re-looking at the COMENSA Code of Ethics and Conduct. It is easy to forget and as a coach or mentor we work on our own, accountable to ourselves, and if we are not committed to professionalism, little things easily sneak into our sessions and how we conduct ourselves as coaches and mentors.
Being Credentialed as a coach or mentor, shows that you are committed to professionalism, personal and professional growth and contributing to enhancing the standard of coaching and mentoring in South Africa.
And the good news……….
 
We are pleased to announce that SAQA has approved the update and changes to the required Coach & Mentor hours to be credentialed:
 
COMENSA Credentialed Coach – 100 Hours
COMENSA Senior Coach – 500 Hours
COMENSA Master Coach – 2 500 Hours
COMENSA Credentialed Mentor – 100 Hours
COMENSA Senior Mentor – 500 Hours
COMENSA Master Coach – 2 500 Hours
This aligns with other Coaching and Mentoring Bodies and the rest of the criteria for credentialing remains unchanged. If you are already credentialed at a specific level, you retain that credential status.
 
Committee News:
 
MCSC is delighted that Yolandi Dercksen has been appointed as Deputy Chair of the MCSC Committee. Yolandi’s passion for coaching and mentoring and her commitment and dedication to the profession has made her a very valuable member of the committee.    
 
Important Dates:

15 November 2022 – Yolandi Dercksen (MCSC Deputy Chair), will be our MCSC Committee Webinar Speaker. Her topic is How do I develop and grow as a Coach / Mentor? The event will start at 18H00 on-line, and if you attend you may claim your CPD Point for this event.
 
Recently Credentialed Members:

Congratulations to our member who has recently been Credentialed.

Lourens C Janse van Rensburg – COMENSA Senior Coach
When I was asked to share my experience about Senior Coach Credentialing, I was a bit hesitant as I do not know what the impact this might have on someone’s decision to go through the process.

I was extremely nervous, more nervous than I was with the initial COMENSA credentialling. You may think that with more than 800 hours coaching experience, a person should be more confident and you are quite right, the thing however is that I am somewhat conditioned when it comes to “Tests”, Interviews and exams. When you make a mistake during a session with a client, they will not know that you have made one, a mistake in the presence of peers is very evident. This fear of not being good enough kept me awake. 

I received the criteria and worked through it. The day of the credentialling I was still nervous. The team helped me relax and I realised I have absolutely nothing to lose, what was helpful is that they allowed me to be myself, to use my own “Style” of coaching and to be in the moment. The respect, presence, support and care they showed helped me relax as I was in the presence of people who really care and not judge. If you have not taken the step to become a credentialed member, you have nothing to fear you will be in the presence of people who care. Thank you, Andre and Yolandi for your caring, support and presence.
 
We are here to support you on YOUR Credentialing Journey to make this a pleasant experience for you and to support you in your growth as a coach or mentor.

André Retief

MCSC Chair

mcsc@comensa.org.za
Chapter Chatter
Closing off October (Mental Health), we should as coaches remember to be patient with ourselves; our coaching businesses and the people around us.
Speaking about people around us, we should take to heart what connectedness does for our mental health. The GP chapter leadership connected again as a team for a much needed outing of networking and checking on each other (please see photo herein).  We took time out to celebrate our 3 recently credentialed members. This outing gave us a light bulb moment of how wonderful it would be to connect with Comensa members in the GP chapter. With so much digital meetings, getting together to network and meet each other in person would be really good for our emotional and mental health.
 
“CONNECTION – The energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgement; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” – Brene Brown.
 
During Men’s Health Awareness Month, we should continue to keep our health and wellness in check. Keep fit and in prime condition. Break the sweat and challenge yourself. That is what it requires.
Talking fitness, our men in the GP Committee are up to it. Tsietsi and Mohau participated in and conquered the Cape Town marathon in October. They are on trend in this month of November. Mohau participated and conquered the New York marathon on the 06th. Well done Mohau. Tsietsi is taking part in a few half marathons and at least one standard marathon this month. All the best Tsietsi.
 
Lookout for news from your GP chapter leadership team for any new events coming up. We will be calling on each one of us to meet physically. We have a need to connect. We are working on a plan for the 24th of November. We will be hosting this in Midrand. Details will be communicated on various platforms sooner than later.  Book the date on your calendar, we are finally able to meet you. We can whisper to you that this event will be honoured by the presence of the National President of COMENSA. Please come and meet him.
 
We successfully hosted the Supervision Portfolio Committee on 12 October. Thanks to the SPC and presenter Gorette Doria for their valuable leadership. Thanks to all the attendees for your participation in this wonderful engagement.
 
Please join us in congratulating Tsietsi for completing his Coaching for Development programme with the UCT: Graduate School of Business in October. The programme is accredited by COMENSA and the International Coach Federation.
On 07 November, our own Vesper Nkoane was preparing to attend the S.A. Literary Awards Handover ceremony. She was shortlisted for the 2022 Literary Translator’s Awards Category. For us, being shortlisted is an achievement in itself. You go Vee.
 
Please remember to:
  • Renew / update your membership;
  • Start or continue with your credentialing journey, (GP committee members are setting the tone and soon we will announce our next credentialed coach);
  • Visit the COMEMSA website to update your information. It takes 15 minutes. Forgot the password? Reach out to the Administrator to reset it.
Yours in service: Tsietsi Telite, Karabo Manyama, Joyce Baloyi, Motshidisi Letloenyane, Vesper Nkoane and Mohau Mphomela
 
LIMPOPO CHAPTER OF COACHES AND MENTORS OF SOUTH AFRICA, (COMENSA)2022

Thriving within the coaching ecosystem
 
The Limpopo Chapter of COMENSA held its first face-to-face event on the 22nd of October 2022. The event attracted prospective coaches as well as those who are due to renew their membership. The objectives of the event were to achieve among others the following:
  • To recruit new members
  • To renew membership
  • To encourage coaches to commence the credentialing journey.
  • To encourage Limpopo members to network with coaches and mentors from other Chapters as part of the learning journey and leveraging from the ecosystem actors.
The overriding aim of the event was to enhance the creation of a powerful coaching ecosystem. It is important for coaches and mentors to immerse themselves within the coaching ecosystem in order to thrive.Building an impeccable relationship with key actors within the coaching ecosystem is paramount for coaches to remain sustainable. Coaches should understand what buyers of coaching need as well as understanding the importance of being a credentialled coach. Being a credentialed coach is almost becoming a major distinguishing factor for coaches. Coaches thrive well within a community of other coaches through peer learning and support. Coaches were encouraged to make efforts to join a coaching controlling body and then get credentialed to thrive within the coaching ecosystem.
 
To join COMENSA or commence the credentialing journey, please contact:
administrator@comensa.org.za or mcsc@comensa.org.za or lpchair@comensa.org.za or lpsecretary@comensa.org.za or www.comensa.org.za  

LIMPOPO CHAPTER COMMITTEE:

LIMPOPO CHAPTER CHAIRPERSON-0836996600

REUBEN RAMMBUDA, COMENSA MASTER COACH -lpchair@comensa.org.za

MAISHIBE MABELEBELE-lpdeputychair@comensa.org.za

CATHY RAMOKGOPA-lpsecretary@comensa.org.za
 
November 2022 Newsflash – KZN Chapter

Greetings from KZN

Early on Saturday morning the 15th October the committee members made their way to the boardroom at the Executive in Umhlanga to meet with COMENSA President Mokadi Max Mathye. The morning’s discussions were very fruitful with the committee briefing the President on future plans for the chapter and the President sharing important developments at national level with the committee. The committee appreciates the visit by the President to the KZN Chapter and the guidance given.
 

[L to R] Michelle Strickland, Mokadi Mathye, Adina de Vries, Rajeshree Dessai
 
Our final on-line event for 2022 took place on 27 October 2022. The topic Discover critical emotional intelligence behaviours designed to accelerate change skills for your clients was presented by our very own chapter member, Alison Coates. 

How we show up as coaches and mentors determines how much the clients benefit from the interactions.

We were introduced to Zara and Zita, two opposing mindsets, Zara is influenced by cortisol (the stress hormone) and is characterized by narrow reasoning and limited, reactive thinking. Zita and the other hand is influenced by oxytocin (feel good hormone) and is characterized by lateral and creative thinking. We learnt how important it is to show up as Zita for our clients.

As take away from the session we left with three habits to cultivate i.e. self-awareness, awareness of others and self-management or self-regulation. This will help us show up in the best possible way for our clients.
The Kwazulu-Natal committee thanks members from other chapters for joining us for all the online events hosted by the chapter. The final event for 2022 will be a face to face event which is planned for later this year.
 
Mindful reflections
Michelle Strickland (Chair), Adina De Vries (Deputy Chair), Rajeshree Dessai (Secretary)
 

November 2022 Newsflash – Western Cape
 
Greetings to everyone from the Western Cape!
 
At the end of this year, we reflect on all the many gifts that we have received, and as the WC Chapter, we wanted to express our gratitude to each of you for the way you have contributed to our COMENSA community in 2022. Thank you for showing up, and for sharing your presence and energy.  
 
What we love about COMENSA is that we keep receiving the gift of learning – and that we do this with a wonderful community! Throughout the year, we get to attend events and are gifted with insights from speakers who share their passion with us and enable us to keep growing and learning.
 
For our final event for this year, the Western Cape Chapter will host Dr Dorrian Aiken. She will speak to us about “Coaching Leaders for Vertical Development”. So many of us work with leaders who impact many lives, communities, and our environment. How do we, as their coaches, enable these leaders in their learning, thinking and being?
 
We invite you to join us as Dorrian offers a brief introduction to the significance of Ken Wilber’s Integral Vision for the world at large – its value for coaches, and especially for leaders. She will share Wilber’s Integral Operating System, the Quadrants, with us and demonstrate its use through case studies. You will have the opportunity to explore the significance of the quadrants in your own life, in your coaching practice and for your clients.
 
TOPIC: “Coaching Leaders for Vertical Development”
SPEAKER: Dr Dorrian Aiken
DATE:  Tuesday, 22 November 2022
TIME: 18:30 – 20:00 (PM)
VENUE: Zoom
 
Please do plan to join us.
 
See you there,
Claudio, Teresa, Charne and Merlinda
MEN’S AWARENESS MONTH
This is our last Newsflash for 2022 , I would like to leave you this year with the saying from
“THE ROCK”  and May your holiday season fill your home with joy, your heart with love and your life with laughter. See you in 2023 . 
 
National Administrator
Tamara Naidoo 
Partners
As COMENSA and SABPP, we have signed to renew and strengthen our partnership for a further three years(until November 2025). Together we aim to continue to add value to each organisation’s members and meet the set objectives of our partnership. These include, but not limited to, developing a South African Coaching and Mentoring Standard and a South African Coaching and Mentoring Competency Framework. We look forward to hosting our joint events in 2023 which will build on the success of the events held this year.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

WELCOME TO COMENSA

COACHES & MENTORS OF SOUTH AFRICA

In a world of constant change, coaching and mentoring are playing an increasing role in empowering future generations to realise their full potential.

Watch video
Join us

ABOUT COMENSA

Inspire | Enlighten | Empower

We provide a platform for all stakeholders to engage, educate, exchange, and evolve in pursuit of best practice.

We support the ongoing evolution of coaches and mentors through the promotion of diversity, inclusion, education, and networking through our community of practitioners.

We reinforce professionalism through a process of credentialing, the maintenance of participation and continued education tracking.

Discover more

COACHING VS MENTORING

Understanding
the difference

shutterstock_406602010

COACHING

COMENSA defines coaching as “a professional, collaborative and outcomes-driven method of learning that seeks to develop an individual and raise self-awareness so that he or she might achieve specific goals and perform at a more effective level”.
Read more

COACHING VS MENTORING

COACHING VS MENTORING

Find a coach

COACHING VS MENTORING

Understanding
the difference

shutterstock_1447125902

MENTORING

COMENSA defines mentoring as “a partnership in which a mentee is assisted in making significant advances in knowledge, perspective and vision in order to develop their full potential; the mentor’s wisdom is utilised by the mentee to facilitate and enhance new learning and insight”.
Read more

COACHING VS MENTORING

COACHING VS MENTORING

Find a mentor

The benefits of
JOINING COMENSA

As you progress from the first step of registering with COMENSA as a Student or Ordinary Member, you will enjoy an increasing array of benefits.

Find more information on which category of membership you qualify for as well as the detail of our very affordable membership fees on our Membership page.

Free attendance
to events

Multiple events are hosted by our regional chapters and professional committees each month. Check out the events calendar

Professional recognition

Credentialing with COMENSA as a coach or mentor will
give you a SAQA recognised designation and reinforce your professional credibility

Get
discovered

Our members are listed and identified by their credential status in our highly popular directory of COMENSA coaches and mentors

Advance your learning

Whether kick starting your studies or advancing your knowledge, one of our COMENSA approved Training Programmes should meet your need

Free news and events

Stay up to date with our newsletter, packed with news from our portfolio committees and chapter chairs, info on events and special offers

Earn your CPD points

We provide numerous qualifying events and resources, and help you keep track of your Continuous Professional Development points

Learn more

Training Provider
Programme (TPP)

How do Training Provider Programmes work, and why are they vital to the coaching and mentoring professions?

The extensive array of COMENSA approved Training Provider Programmes are vetted to strict standards to further the development of coaches and mentors, helping them maintain their CPD points as well as to stay abreast of rapidly developing industry knowledge.

Watch video
Learn more
Home-Page Mobile-Gold_320x147
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FIND

Further your development and
earn Continuous Professional
Development points.
Search

APPLY

Please register with COMENSA to
access our online application portal
to have your programme approved.
Apply now

EVENT CALENDAR

COMENSA holds a diverse range of events each month, providing insight to the latest coaching and mentoring trends and developments, and the opportunity to earn CPD points.

COMENSA prides itself on the diverse range of events held every month. Providing insight to the latest coaching and mentoring trends and developments.

Each event is hosted by one of our four regional chapters: Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and Limpopo, or by the specialised portfolio committees: Supervision, Marketing, Membership Criteria and Standards of Competence (MCSC), Research, or Social and Ethics.

The majority of our events are presently hosted online and are available free to everyone registered with COMENSA. If you are not yet registered, join us now to have access to this invaluable resource.

Face to face networking events will be returned to as soon as appropriate and will be held in each of the regions. Attendance is free for members and attracts a small fee for non-members.

SEPTEMBER Newsflash

You are worthy as a coach and you deserve to treat yourself accordingly. 
President & VP update

Dear Members of COMENSA,

As COMENSA and SABPP, we have signed to renew and strengthen our partnership for a further three years(until November 2025). Together we aim to continue to add value to each organisation’s members and meet the set objectives of our partnership. These include, but not limited to, developing a South African Coaching and Mentoring Standard and a South African Coaching and Mentoring Competency Framework. We look forward to hosting our joint events in 2023 which will build on the success of the events held this year.

We committed ourselves to collaborate on the following professional areas common to both:

  1. Research and development in relation to coaching and mentoring;
  2. Capacity building in organisations through coaching and mentoring;
  3. Coaching and mentoring of HR candidates and interns on the HR Candidate Programme; and Internship Programmes.
  4. Coaching and mentoring of university students.
  5. Development of a South African Coaching and Mentoring Standard.
  6. Development of a South African Coaching and Mentoring Competency Framework.
  7. Supervision of coaches and mentors.
  8. Continuing professional development (CPD).
  9. Quarterly e-Mag and or publications on coaching and mentoring.
  10. Joint breakfast sessions on topical coaching and mentoring topics and for capacity building.
  11. Participation on the Coaching and Mentoring Committees of both organisations (Task Team).

Allow me to take this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed to where we are in terms of this partnership. My heartfelt gratitude goes to the Task Team members from both professional bodies and to Rodene Dye (who holds dual membership), Elona Hlatswayo and Jo Searle, who continues to represent us. Myself and the Board of Directors will be reviewing the representation mandate and will communicate to those affected by the pending decision.

I agree with John F Kennedy who asserted that partnership is not a posture but a process- a continuous process that grows stronger each year as we devote ourselves to common tasks. Let us therefore dedicate ourselves to our focus areas as we investigate the imminent successes of both organisations. We remain optimistic as we look into the future.

Yours In the Coaching and Mentoring Fraternity.

Mokadi Mathye

National President: +2783 325 4676            

November Newsflash – VP
I was reading an article by Robert Glazer around yes and no. He mentioned the importance of saying yes early in our career to take up all the opportunities that we can so that we learn and grow, we discover what works for us and what does not. With the new learning, as we mature, we can be more discerning about our choices. We can view opportunities as to their relevance to the path that we are on, we learn to say no more effectively as we align our focus, passion, energy or purpose.

A lot of the work we do as coaches is supporting our clients to make better choices for themselves about saying yes and no.

We partner with them to gain new perspectives, opportunities and ways of being , to say yes to stretching out of their comfort zones to new possibilities and goals. We also work with clients about putting boundaries in place, effectively saying no to people and things that do not serve them, which is challenging for many people pleasers.

The questions I have for you to reflect on are:
  • What are you saying yes to when you want to say no?
  • What are you saying no to when you could be saying yes?
Veronica

Event Reminder:
University of Johannesburg and COMENSA are holding a panel discussion:
Coaching from an Intercultural Perspective on 16 November 2022 at 13h00.
Click Here To Register
Social & Ethics Committee

Dear Coaching and Mentoring community,
I hope you are mentally, physically and spiritually well!
 
2022 has been a fruitful year for the COMENSA, with a focus on transformation that led us down a path that explored Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity (DEI). 
 
Diversity is about a deliberate effort towards inclusion.  Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilisation ~ Mahatma Gandhi. 
 
As a coach how do you bring diversity, equity and inclusivity awareness into your coaching sessions?  A first step would be to guide your clients to recognise the cultural differences around them, embrace and appreciate this difference, discourage judgmental thoughts and behaviour, and encourage inclusion, through a deliberate effort. 

Once we bring the uniqueness of society together for a common goal, we start feeling a sense of purpose, appreciation and belonging.  Remind your client that diversity is having a seat at the table; inclusion is having a voice and belonging is having that voice be heard.  Every voice matters!
 
Maya Angelou said: “We should all know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry and we must understand that all the threats of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their colour” 
                                             
We look forward to sharing more insight with you in 2023, be mindful of taking the opportunity to prioritise time for yourself in this present moment to clear your mind before getting back on track to make 2023 one of your best years!

Until then the SEC would like to wish you and your loved one’s joy and peace for the festive season and a blessed New Year!
 
With Love & Light
Ashnee Naidoo – SEC Chair
SEC@comensa.org.za
Research Committee

COMENSA Research Committee
Written by: Rosieda Shabodien
Newsletter Article November 2022
Watch out! You Might Be Replaced by Coach Robot.
 
How many books or peer-reviewed articles did you read for 2022? The goal I have set for myself for 2022 is to read at least 24 peer-reviewed coaching articles. We as coaches have no option but to do this if we want to ensure that our coaching intervention is not only informed by intuition, our unique life experiences and pragmatism but importantly guided by empirical coaching evidence.

The other reason why we need to keep up to date with the latest research is that I heard, via the coaching grapevine, that we are going to be replaced by a robot coach alternatively called an AI chatbot coach!  I am not going off my rocker when I tell you that the robots are coming for us! To get to know your A to Z about AI coaching I suggest that the fascinating research done by Terblanche, Molyn, de Haan and Nillson (2022) is an excellent place to start. Essentially, their research sought to determine whether human coaches or AI coach would be more effective at assisting clients to achieve their goals. And the winner was…cue for drumroll. They said, “Surprisingly however, the AI coach was as effective as human coaches at the end of the trial.” The human coach and the AI coach were both winners! The article then proceeds to line out the implication of these findings – more coaches for all. My take on from all of this is that human coaches must make sure that we strive to deliver coaching interventions for our clients that are backed up by preeminent research since our clients have options and might either flock to or be poached by Coach chatbot.

Terblanche, N., Molyn, J., Haan, E. D., & Nilsson, V. O. (2022). Comparing artificial intelligence and human coaching goal attainment efficacy. PLOS ONE, 17(6), e0270255. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270255
Supervision Committee

          “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
 
During the October month the SPC (the Supervision Portfolio Committee) held two events. 
 
The SPC and the Gauteng Chapter
Thank you to the Gauteng chapter who hosted this event for us.
Gorette Doria spoke on the topic of “Our country’s diversity is one of our many strengths.  How are you as a coach or mentor experiencing this?” 
The participants then had an experience of supervision in several breakaway rooms.
We look forward to partnering again with all chapters next year. 
 
Our Community of Practice (CoP)
This event is for supervisors from all regions to join an online conversation of sharing and gaining insights. 
Next year these will take place quarterly.
 
Wellness Tip:
Try 4-7-8 Breathing to help calm your brain, lower your stress levels and blood pressure. 
There are many health sites online to explain the exact process to get these benefits.         

 

Investigations Committee

COMENSA Investigations Portfolio Committee
Newsletter: November 2022
Nhlanhla Mafarafara
Progress is made one step at a time. Little by little the Investigation Committee has made significant progress since its inception. From establishing a functional interim structure with two members to an established committee, this calls for a good end of year celebration indeed.
 
While more has been achieved, the committee still calls for two more volunteers to strengthen the work currently being done. For those who do not know, being a COMENSA volunteer is not work, it is education, networking and sharpening your mind that shall add value to your coaching and mentoring journey. It only takes five skill sets to be a volunteer in this committee and any other area where you want to add a distinctive mark:
  1. Be a member of COMENSA in good standing.
  2. Be driven by your passion for coaching, for COMENSA and for contribution.
  3. Be keen to work in a team.
  4. Be eager to take initiative or contribute in one.
  5. Reliability.
Should you wish to volunteer or have questions, please get in touch with us by emailing: investigations@comensa.org.za
The committee has recently crafted and almost finalised all the tools and guidelines for the portfolio and shall be testing the applicability thereof.  In the not so distant future, there will be a national event to bring members up to speed with what is really expected of the investigation committee and what it means for you as a COMENSA member.
 
The committee would like to also congratulate Steph Dawson-Cosser for taking up the position of Vice-Chair for the committee.
MCSC Committee

MCSC – Membership Criteria & Standards of Competence Committee

How Professional are we?
 
Professionalism: It’s NOT the job you DO, it’s HOW you DO the job.
 
Based on the definition from the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, professionalism most commonly means the state or practice of doing one’s job with skill, competence, ethics, and courtesy.
Professionalism is based on the word professional, which is commonly used as an adjective to describe someone who works in this way—someone who shows professionalism. Professionalism is shown by people who take their work seriously and respect the people they work with.
As coaches and mentors, we need to ensure we are professional when we coach and/or mentor. And that means also re-looking at the COMENSA Code of Ethics and Conduct. It is easy to forget and as a coach or mentor we work on our own, accountable to ourselves, and if we are not committed to professionalism, little things easily sneak into our sessions and how we conduct ourselves as coaches and mentors.
Being Credentialed as a coach or mentor, shows that you are committed to professionalism, personal and professional growth and contributing to enhancing the standard of coaching and mentoring in South Africa.
And the good news……….
 
We are pleased to announce that SAQA has approved the update and changes to the required Coach & Mentor hours to be credentialed:
 
COMENSA Credentialed Coach – 100 Hours
COMENSA Senior Coach – 500 Hours
COMENSA Master Coach – 2 500 Hours
COMENSA Credentialed Mentor – 100 Hours
COMENSA Senior Mentor – 500 Hours
COMENSA Master Coach – 2 500 Hours
This aligns with other Coaching and Mentoring Bodies and the rest of the criteria for credentialing remains unchanged. If you are already credentialed at a specific level, you retain that credential status.
 
Committee News:
 
MCSC is delighted that Yolandi Dercksen has been appointed as Deputy Chair of the MCSC Committee. Yolandi’s passion for coaching and mentoring and her commitment and dedication to the profession has made her a very valuable member of the committee.    
 
Important Dates:

15 November 2022 – Yolandi Dercksen (MCSC Deputy Chair), will be our MCSC Committee Webinar Speaker. Her topic is How do I develop and grow as a Coach / Mentor? The event will start at 18H00 on-line, and if you attend you may claim your CPD Point for this event.
 
Recently Credentialed Members:

Congratulations to our member who has recently been Credentialed.

Lourens C Janse van Rensburg – COMENSA Senior Coach
When I was asked to share my experience about Senior Coach Credentialing, I was a bit hesitant as I do not know what the impact this might have on someone’s decision to go through the process.

I was extremely nervous, more nervous than I was with the initial COMENSA credentialling. You may think that with more than 800 hours coaching experience, a person should be more confident and you are quite right, the thing however is that I am somewhat conditioned when it comes to “Tests”, Interviews and exams. When you make a mistake during a session with a client, they will not know that you have made one, a mistake in the presence of peers is very evident. This fear of not being good enough kept me awake. 

I received the criteria and worked through it. The day of the credentialling I was still nervous. The team helped me relax and I realised I have absolutely nothing to lose, what was helpful is that they allowed me to be myself, to use my own “Style” of coaching and to be in the moment. The respect, presence, support and care they showed helped me relax as I was in the presence of people who really care and not judge. If you have not taken the step to become a credentialed member, you have nothing to fear you will be in the presence of people who care. Thank you, Andre and Yolandi for your caring, support and presence.
 
We are here to support you on YOUR Credentialing Journey to make this a pleasant experience for you and to support you in your growth as a coach or mentor.

André Retief

MCSC Chair

mcsc@comensa.org.za
Chapter Chatter
Closing off October (Mental Health), we should as coaches remember to be patient with ourselves; our coaching businesses and the people around us.
Speaking about people around us, we should take to heart what connectedness does for our mental health. The GP chapter leadership connected again as a team for a much needed outing of networking and checking on each other (please see photo herein).  We took time out to celebrate our 3 recently credentialed members. This outing gave us a light bulb moment of how wonderful it would be to connect with Comensa members in the GP chapter. With so much digital meetings, getting together to network and meet each other in person would be really good for our emotional and mental health.
 
“CONNECTION – The energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgement; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” – Brene Brown.
 
During Men’s Health Awareness Month, we should continue to keep our health and wellness in check. Keep fit and in prime condition. Break the sweat and challenge yourself. That is what it requires.
Talking fitness, our men in the GP Committee are up to it. Tsietsi and Mohau participated in and conquered the Cape Town marathon in October. They are on trend in this month of November. Mohau participated and conquered the New York marathon on the 06th. Well done Mohau. Tsietsi is taking part in a few half marathons and at least one standard marathon this month. All the best Tsietsi.
 
Lookout for news from your GP chapter leadership team for any new events coming up. We will be calling on each one of us to meet physically. We have a need to connect. We are working on a plan for the 24th of November. We will be hosting this in Midrand. Details will be communicated on various platforms sooner than later.  Book the date on your calendar, we are finally able to meet you. We can whisper to you that this event will be honoured by the presence of the National President of COMENSA. Please come and meet him.
 
We successfully hosted the Supervision Portfolio Committee on 12 October. Thanks to the SPC and presenter Gorette Doria for their valuable leadership. Thanks to all the attendees for your participation in this wonderful engagement.
 
Please join us in congratulating Tsietsi for completing his Coaching for Development programme with the UCT: Graduate School of Business in October. The programme is accredited by COMENSA and the International Coach Federation.
On 07 November, our own Vesper Nkoane was preparing to attend the S.A. Literary Awards Handover ceremony. She was shortlisted for the 2022 Literary Translator’s Awards Category. For us, being shortlisted is an achievement in itself. You go Vee.
 
Please remember to:
  • Renew / update your membership;
  • Start or continue with your credentialing journey, (GP committee members are setting the tone and soon we will announce our next credentialed coach);
  • Visit the COMEMSA website to update your information. It takes 15 minutes. Forgot the password? Reach out to the Administrator to reset it.
Yours in service: Tsietsi Telite, Karabo Manyama, Joyce Baloyi, Motshidisi Letloenyane, Vesper Nkoane and Mohau Mphomela
 
LIMPOPO CHAPTER OF COACHES AND MENTORS OF SOUTH AFRICA, (COMENSA)2022

Thriving within the coaching ecosystem
 
The Limpopo Chapter of COMENSA held its first face-to-face event on the 22nd of October 2022. The event attracted prospective coaches as well as those who are due to renew their membership. The objectives of the event were to achieve among others the following:
  • To recruit new members
  • To renew membership
  • To encourage coaches to commence the credentialing journey.
  • To encourage Limpopo members to network with coaches and mentors from other Chapters as part of the learning journey and leveraging from the ecosystem actors.
The overriding aim of the event was to enhance the creation of a powerful coaching ecosystem. It is important for coaches and mentors to immerse themselves within the coaching ecosystem in order to thrive.Building an impeccable relationship with key actors within the coaching ecosystem is paramount for coaches to remain sustainable. Coaches should understand what buyers of coaching need as well as understanding the importance of being a credentialled coach. Being a credentialed coach is almost becoming a major distinguishing factor for coaches. Coaches thrive well within a community of other coaches through peer learning and support. Coaches were encouraged to make efforts to join a coaching controlling body and then get credentialed to thrive within the coaching ecosystem.
 
To join COMENSA or commence the credentialing journey, please contact:
administrator@comensa.org.za or mcsc@comensa.org.za or lpchair@comensa.org.za or lpsecretary@comensa.org.za or www.comensa.org.za  

LIMPOPO CHAPTER COMMITTEE:

LIMPOPO CHAPTER CHAIRPERSON-0836996600

REUBEN RAMMBUDA, COMENSA MASTER COACH -lpchair@comensa.org.za

MAISHIBE MABELEBELE-lpdeputychair@comensa.org.za

CATHY RAMOKGOPA-lpsecretary@comensa.org.za
 
November 2022 Newsflash – KZN Chapter

Greetings from KZN

Early on Saturday morning the 15th October the committee members made their way to the boardroom at the Executive in Umhlanga to meet with COMENSA President Mokadi Max Mathye. The morning’s discussions were very fruitful with the committee briefing the President on future plans for the chapter and the President sharing important developments at national level with the committee. The committee appreciates the visit by the President to the KZN Chapter and the guidance given.
 

[L to R] Michelle Strickland, Mokadi Mathye, Adina de Vries, Rajeshree Dessai
 
Our final on-line event for 2022 took place on 27 October 2022. The topic Discover critical emotional intelligence behaviours designed to accelerate change skills for your clients was presented by our very own chapter member, Alison Coates. 

How we show up as coaches and mentors determines how much the clients benefit from the interactions.

We were introduced to Zara and Zita, two opposing mindsets, Zara is influenced by cortisol (the stress hormone) and is characterized by narrow reasoning and limited, reactive thinking. Zita and the other hand is influenced by oxytocin (feel good hormone) and is characterized by lateral and creative thinking. We learnt how important it is to show up as Zita for our clients.

As take away from the session we left with three habits to cultivate i.e. self-awareness, awareness of others and self-management or self-regulation. This will help us show up in the best possible way for our clients.
The Kwazulu-Natal committee thanks members from other chapters for joining us for all the online events hosted by the chapter. The final event for 2022 will be a face to face event which is planned for later this year.
 
Mindful reflections
Michelle Strickland (Chair), Adina De Vries (Deputy Chair), Rajeshree Dessai (Secretary)
 

November 2022 Newsflash – Western Cape
 
Greetings to everyone from the Western Cape!
 
At the end of this year, we reflect on all the many gifts that we have received, and as the WC Chapter, we wanted to express our gratitude to each of you for the way you have contributed to our COMENSA community in 2022. Thank you for showing up, and for sharing your presence and energy.  
 
What we love about COMENSA is that we keep receiving the gift of learning – and that we do this with a wonderful community! Throughout the year, we get to attend events and are gifted with insights from speakers who share their passion with us and enable us to keep growing and learning.
 
For our final event for this year, the Western Cape Chapter will host Dr Dorrian Aiken. She will speak to us about “Coaching Leaders for Vertical Development”. So many of us work with leaders who impact many lives, communities, and our environment. How do we, as their coaches, enable these leaders in their learning, thinking and being?
 
We invite you to join us as Dorrian offers a brief introduction to the significance of Ken Wilber’s Integral Vision for the world at large – its value for coaches, and especially for leaders. She will share Wilber’s Integral Operating System, the Quadrants, with us and demonstrate its use through case studies. You will have the opportunity to explore the significance of the quadrants in your own life, in your coaching practice and for your clients.
 
TOPIC: “Coaching Leaders for Vertical Development”
SPEAKER: Dr Dorrian Aiken
DATE:  Tuesday, 22 November 2022
TIME: 18:30 – 20:00 (PM)
VENUE: Zoom
 
Please do plan to join us.
 
See you there,
Claudio, Teresa, Charne and Merlinda
MEN’S AWARENESS MONTH
This is our last Newsflash for 2022 , I would like to leave you this year with the saying from
“THE ROCK”  and May your holiday season fill your home with joy, your heart with love and your life with laughter. See you in 2023 . 
 
National Administrator
Tamara Naidoo 
Partners
As COMENSA and SABPP, we have signed to renew and strengthen our partnership for a further three years(until November 2025). Together we aim to continue to add value to each organisation’s members and meet the set objectives of our partnership. These include, but not limited to, developing a South African Coaching and Mentoring Standard and a South African Coaching and Mentoring Competency Framework. We look forward to hosting our joint events in 2023 which will build on the success of the events held this year.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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