Our Instructors
Hannes Van Niekerk
Sensei Hannes van Niekerk (Godan) started Martial Arts early, like most kids try some sort of martials arts as they grow up. Sensei Hannes started in 1977 with JKA karate and kept going for two years up to 1979. Due to travel restrictions he could not proceed with this. In 1985 he started with Ju Jitsu but training was also limited due to distance so he could only start training full time in 1989.
From 1989 to 1990 Shotokan karate also became part of his life and from 1990 to 1993 Tang Soo Do was also fitted in between Ju Jitsu classes. When Sa Bom(Nim) Adrian Richter of Tang Soo Do passed away he decided to give all his attention to Ju Jitsu. In 2008 Sensei Hannes was looking for some more martial arts stimulation so he started doing Kenjutsu with Shihan Albert Venter and still doing it to date.
Sensei Hannes has worked with many senior and overseas instructors over the years who gave seminars or did grading’s in South Africa. Professor Sam Tonkin (Snr) graded Sensei Hannes Shodan in 1991 with Sensei Allen Werth.
In 1992 Sensei Hannes graded Shodan again with Professor Parker on his visit to South Africa from the U.K. He continued grading over the years and his last grading to date was on 26 October 2013 where he was graded Godan (5th Dan) by Professor Sam Tonkin (Jnr).
Over some years in South Africa, Sensei Hannes took the North West Province under his wing. This became one of the strongest Province contenders at the South African Ju Jitsu Championships. Sensei Hannes was responsible for all Provincial championships, Provincial meetings, Provincial and District colours and competition arrangements with a selection of teams to represent at the South African Ju Jitsu Championships. He could not do all of this without Sensei Riana’s (wife) help and many club/provincial parents and students.
Over the years Sensei Hannes participated in many Provincial and South African Ju Jitsu Championships very successfully. He also worked hard to achieve his Provincial, National, Springbok and Protea colours and represented South Africa numerous times on International championships.
All of this history was left behind in South Africa as Sensei Hannes and Sensei Riana with their two beautiful daughters emigrated on 4 June 2014 to New Zealand. Where they began work to start another Ju Jitsu chapter with new Ju Jitsu friendships and family to proceed with their life long dreams.
Sensei Hannes van Niekerk (Godan) started Martial Arts early, like most kids try some sort of martials arts as they grow up. Sensei Hannes started in 1977 with JKA karate and kept going for two years up to 1979. Due to travel restrictions he could not proceed with this. In 1985 he started with Ju Jitsu but training was also limited due to distance so he could only start training full time in 1989.
From 1989 to 1990 Shotokan karate also became part of his life and from 1990 to 1993 Tang Soo Do was also fitted in between Ju Jitsu classes. When Sa Bom(Nim) Adrian Richter of Tang Soo Do passed away he decided to give all his attention to Ju Jitsu. In 2008 Sensei Hannes was looking for some more martial arts stimulation so he started doing Kenjutsu with Shihan Albert Venter and still doing it to date.
Sensei Hannes has worked with many senior and overseas instructors over the years who gave seminars or did grading’s in South Africa. Professor Sam Tonkin (Snr) graded Sensei Hannes Shodan in 1991 with Sensei Allen Werth.
In 1992 Sensei Hannes graded Shodan again with Professor Parker on his visit to South Africa from the U.K. He continued grading over the years and his last grading to date was on 26 October 2013 where he was graded Godan (5th Dan) by Professor Sam Tonkin (Jnr).
Over some years in South Africa, Sensei Hannes took the North West Province under his wing. This became one of the strongest Province contenders at the South African Ju Jitsu Championships. Sensei Hannes was responsible for all Provincial championships, Provincial meetings, Provincial and District colours and competition arrangements with a selection of teams to represent at the South African Ju Jitsu Championships. He could not do all of this without Sensei Riana’s (wife) help and many club/provincial parents and students.
Over the years Sensei Hannes participated in many Provincial and South African Ju Jitsu Championships very successfully. He also worked hard to achieve his Provincial, National, Springbok and Protea colours and represented South Africa numerous times on International championships.
All of this history was left behind in South Africa as Sensei Hannes and Sensei Riana with their two beautiful daughters emigrated on 4 June 2014 to New Zealand. Where they began work to start another Ju Jitsu chapter with new Ju Jitsu friendships and family to proceed with their life long dreams.
Riana Van Niekerk
Sensei Riana van Niekerk (Nidan) started Ju Jitsu in 2006. She got injured and had to sit out for two years to allow her knee to recover and heal. This was holding her back but she never gave up and pushed on with Ju Jitsu with tears and pain on some days.
Over the years she did her gradings and had to fit Ju Jitsu into her busy life as a Mom. She graded Shodan (1st Dan) 30 Nov 2013. This was not the end and she pushed on to grade Nidan (2nd Dan) 13 February 2016.
Sensei Riana was Sensei Hannes's right hand while he was managing the North West Province in South Africa where provincial and National championships were held. This kept her busy arranging provincial meetings, competitions, score cards, medals and trophies. She also had to make time to arrange Provincial colours for successful students to represent their province on the South African Ju Jitsu championships.
Over these years she also received her Protea Colours and represented South Africa on the United Nations of Ju Jitsu in 2009 and in 2013. Sensei Riana also mastered the training of students over the years and became a very successful instructor and Mentor to a variety of students. She was heartbroken to leave all the family, friends and students of Ju Jitsu behind in South Africa, but they will never be forgotten. She emigrated with her husband and beautiful twin daughters (also world champions in Ju Jitsu) to New Zealand on the 4 June 2014, where she plans to use her passion and love for Ju Jitsu to pass her knowledge to the new students in this beautiful Country.
Sensei Riana van Niekerk (Nidan) started Ju Jitsu in 2006. She got injured and had to sit out for two years to allow her knee to recover and heal. This was holding her back but she never gave up and pushed on with Ju Jitsu with tears and pain on some days.
Over the years she did her gradings and had to fit Ju Jitsu into her busy life as a Mom. She graded Shodan (1st Dan) 30 Nov 2013. This was not the end and she pushed on to grade Nidan (2nd Dan) 13 February 2016.
Sensei Riana was Sensei Hannes's right hand while he was managing the North West Province in South Africa where provincial and National championships were held. This kept her busy arranging provincial meetings, competitions, score cards, medals and trophies. She also had to make time to arrange Provincial colours for successful students to represent their province on the South African Ju Jitsu championships.
Over these years she also received her Protea Colours and represented South Africa on the United Nations of Ju Jitsu in 2009 and in 2013. Sensei Riana also mastered the training of students over the years and became a very successful instructor and Mentor to a variety of students. She was heartbroken to leave all the family, friends and students of Ju Jitsu behind in South Africa, but they will never be forgotten. She emigrated with her husband and beautiful twin daughters (also world champions in Ju Jitsu) to New Zealand on the 4 June 2014, where she plans to use her passion and love for Ju Jitsu to pass her knowledge to the new students in this beautiful Country.