Nienaber has not only been hailed as a boxing man but as a humanitarian who only wanted the best for his boxers and the sport.
Even MMA fighters honoured Nienaber, who trained boxers in Boksburg for approximately 50 years.
Such was the passion the man had for the sport.
Nienaber, who was a boxer himself before becoming a trainer, coach and an official in the sport, is remembered by boxing figures as one of the greatest trainers in local amateur boxing.
Some of his students include Martin van Wyk, African Boxing Union (ABU) junior lightweight champion Sibusiso Zingange, Charles Oosthuizen and his boxing super-star son, Tommy.
Zingange, who spent multiple years under Nienaber’s tutelage, described him as a very good man.
“I’m one of the oldest boxers from his gym (the Boksburg Boxing Club). He was a good man who loved boxing very much,” recalled the ABU title holder.
“He liked young people and he was very generous. He wanted black boxers to make the most of their talents. I’m a professional boxer today because of him.”
Nienaber’s stepson and veteran boxer Barend van Rooyen echoed Zingange’s sentiments.
“It’s a huge loss in the boxing world. It’s a huge, huge loss,” he lamented.
“He was a great, great person. He used to drive to locations (townships) with his wife to take boxers to the gym for training. It’s a massive loss.”
Iconic and respected trainer Harold Volbrecht also weighed in the condolences and commended Nienaber’s work in amateur boxing.
“I knew Pieter very well – he did a lot for amateur boxing. Amateur boxing is overlooked but people forget that that’s where the stars started. I’ve trained a number of boxers he trained and his loss is very sad.”
Local EFC star Barend Nienaber, Pieter’s grandson, also paid tribute to the trainer.
“He was an inspiration to all. He was in the boxing industry for over 50 years and he always had a smile on his face. He has four sons whom he coached and got them SA colours for boxing in the same year. I don’t think there are a lot of fathers who can say that.”
Nienaber is survived by his wife Kitty and his sons Izak, Andre, Barend and Pieter – who were all Springboks in amateur boxing.
He’s also survived by his two daughters, Saletta and Liza.
He was 79. – @SabeloBoksburg
