About Us
- Mission Statement
- History
- Service Approach
- Meet the Team
To provide long-term Christian therapy and support to victims of destructive subcultures and their families as well as acting pro-active by the transfer of knowledge to society.
In layman’s terms: (Long-term support and therapy to individuals who have made wrong choices in life, or who became products of other people’s wrong choices)
Auksano was established by Johan de Beer in 1998. Auksano’s history developed in line with Johan’s career history. Johan joined the SAPS in 1990. He worked at the Child Protection Unit as well as the Violent Crimes Unit. He later became a co-coordinator of the Occult Related Crime Unit of the SAPS in the Free State.
Due to the increasing number of victims of destructive subcultures as well as a definite call from God, Johan resigned as Captain from the SAPS in 2002 to commit himself full-time to the mission of Auksano. The other founding members were: Rev. Johan Cilliers, Danie Krügel and Barbara de Beer.
Auksano was registered as a non-profit organisation with the Department of Social Development in 1999 and is currently also a registered service provider of Department of Education.
Auksano strongly acknowledges that man consists of body, soul and spirit and that healing in these areas are not mutually exclusive.
We therefore function via a multi-professional team consisting of a Functional Therapist, Pastoral Counsellor, Youth Coordinator and ad hoc professionals such as Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Child play therapists and Medical doctors. We will continue the healing process with our clients until they reach such a state of well-being that they are able to function optimally within society once again.
Prevention, Early intervention and Therapy takes place across all three Focus Areas of Auksano, namely the Occult, Substance abuse and Trauma.
Auksano has an unwavering commitment to the Gospel of Christ in every aspect of its service delivery.
JOHAN DE BEER (Director)
(Functional Therapist and Trauma Counsellor)
Johan joined the SAPS in 1990. He worked at the Child Protection Unit as well as the Violent Crime Unit. He acquired enormous experience and knowledge in the field of criminal acts against children, violent crimes and the investigation thereof. This practical knowledge was also supported with theoretical legal knowledge during the studies for his Police Diploma. Later on in his career, he became the coordinator of the Occult Related Crime Unit in the Free State.
Due to the increasing number of victims of destructive subcultures as well as a definite call from God, Johan founded Auksano in 1998 in collaboration with other like-minded people. He resigned as Captain from the SAPS in 2002. He attained a post graduate qualification as a Functional Therapist as well as a Unisa post graduate in Trauma Counselling.
These academic qualifications, his practical experience in the SAPS with occult related crimes as well as counseling of victims of the occult for more than 20 years, distinguishes him as one of the few true expert therapists in this specialist field.
As an authentic adventurist, Johan is a keen rock climber and abseil facilitator. He is passionate about the outdoors such as camping and 4 x 4 trails and is also a hiking trail leader. Johan has presented numerous successful team-buildings, outcome based events for both youth groups as well as corporate companies.
Johan is an all-rounder but with his heart fixed unswervingly on his calling.
MARIAAN MAARTENS
(Marketing Manager & Counsellor)
Mariaan matriculated in 1989. She joined the SANDF and received a B.Mil BA-degree from the University of Stellenbosch, Military Academy, in 1994. She continued her Defense career at Military Intelligence and resigned as a Captain in 1997. She then became the owner of a construction company in Rustenburg for a couple of years.
She gradually got involved in one of her passions in life, namely Leadership. She eventually left the housing industry and committed herself to leadership facilitation as well as lecturing leadership at an Academy in Pretoria. Teaching people to discover and love their own unique design, as planned by God, was definitely part of her destiny.
She moved to Bloemfontein in 2006 where she got involved with Auksano by means of a Godly intervention.
As the marketing manager of Auksano, she is responsible for fundraising, PR events, exhibitions, talks to the media and small groups, website as well as the general marketing of the Auksano brand. She is the current editor of Auksano’s quarterly magazine.
She does counselling with both young people and adults as the need dictates. Her personal mission fits in perfectly with that of Auksano’s, because both are passionate about getting people to understand their true identity in Christ!
ELSABE BESTER
(Youth Coordinator)
Elsabé was born in the Free State. She studied Business Administration and then commenced her career as a Dental Assistant in Bloemfontein. She interrupted her dental career in 1998 when she exchanged the dry land of the Free State for the life of a missionary on the deep blue ocean of the Atlantic. She boarded the missionary ship, Doulos, with 300 other team members to bring the Gospel to the countries along the route of the Atlantic. She received extensive training and experience during these years, such as outreaches, courses of cultural diversity and group work etc.
She left the Doulos after six years and continued with her dental career for another five years.
In 2009 Elsabé was appointed as the Youth Coordinator at Auksano and has since enrolled for a B.Soc.Sc degree at Unisa.
Elsabé is a keen athlete and has colours in athletics and badminton. She is currently a cycle spinning instructor at the local gymnasium. She is a qualified Abseiling instructor and is passionate about outdoor activities, such as camping, mountain biking and hiking.
As the Youth Coordinator, Elsabé is responsible for youth prevention and empowerment projects. This include projects such as Leadership and Survivor camps, talks to learners, parents and teachers as well as the facilitation of well established High Without Drugs clubs at various schools.
Elsabé is currently living her calling which is to present hope to our fragile and fearful youth.
BARBARA DE BEER
(Pastoral Therapist and Financial & Administrative Manager)
Barbara is one of the four founder members of Auksano and has been involved with Auksano since 1994. She held various managerial positions in the corporate world. She acquired the business qualifications M.IMM and CM (SA).
Barbara is the Financial and Administrative Manager at Auksano. She has implemented vital systems, processes and policies assisting Auksano to increase their credibility in the community as well as nationwide and to be accountable to the relevant authorities and donors of Auksano.
After she became part of Auksano, she embarked on counselling studies and completed her Masters Degree in Pastoral Counselling at the University of the Free State in 2005. Barbara is currently also a full-time counsellor at Auksano. Her other responsibilities include the coordination and development of counselling courses for clients and youth groups as well as formal training courses for personnel and facilitators.
Barbara has been happily married for 40 years and is also grandmother of three grandchildren. She still has big dreams and ideas for Auksano and plans to be involved in this organisation’s mission for many years to come.
ELEZE DU PLESSIS
(Receptionist and Bookkeeper)
Eleze is currently filling the most important position at Auksano with regards to both her physical location at the office – at the front desk – as well her functionality as receptionist.
She has broad spectrum experience in the business world, ranging from managerial positions to owning her own company. With this business and administrative knowledge, she brought a whole new dimension to the “receptionist” position. Eleze is currently responsible for the day to day appointments, coordination of schedules, arrangements of seminars, talks and presentations as well as the marketing of training workshops. She also recently took on the role of bookkeeper.
Eleze has, apart from her secretarial and business experience, also obtained a Pastoral Bible School Diploma during 2009 via the Circle of Life Ministries in George. She has experience in dealing with victims of destructive subcultures and has therefore brilliant relationships with Auksano’s clients.
Eleze is indeed the axle of Auksano and is adding value to the mission of Auksano on a daily basis!
