NICK DURANDT REMEMBERED
as “Mthakathi” in boxing circles.
“He had the wizardly ability of turning young men from the townships into world champions and he also possessed the ability to motivate and train up-and-coming champions,” he said.
“He has an amazing record of having produced 163 champions and he was dedicated to each and every individual.
Durandt’s friend, for mer boxer Mikey Schultz, said he was fortunate to have travelled the world with the boxing trainer.
“Nick was a person that would speak his mind. He would say it the way it was and a lot of people didn’t like that because there’s a thin line between arrogance and confidence. Nick was a very confident person.”
Boxing South Africa (BSA) c hai r woman Muditambi Ravele said Durandt was one of the best trainers South Africa had ever seen.
“His death is a great loss because he was one of the best trainers we have had in the country.”
Her sentiments were echoed by Easter n Cape MEC for Sport Pemmy Majodina, who added that Durandt had a special bond with her province because of the many champions he produced from that part of the world.
“He was one of our own. He was a leader, a legend, a community developer. Nick had gone to each and every corner of the Eastern Cape to ensure all the boxers that side were looked after and supported.”
A letter sent to the Durandt family by President Jacob Zuma was also read out at the memorial.
“South Africa has lost one of its best trainers in the history of boxing, who was not only a trainer, promoter, manager, but also a father figure to his stellar trainees.
“Mr Durandt was renowned for taking young boys out of the streets and making champions out of them. He represented and positioned our country’s boxing talent among the best in the world,” Zuma’s letter read.