Survived: Tough Afrikaner teen Cironka Nel 17 wins top medals in interschool athletics meet after her family was attacked just hours before

Survived: Tough Afrikaner teen Cironka Nel 17 wins top medals, 4th place in #SouthAfrica Interschool Athletics despite armed robbery night before http://www.vistanews.co.za/230970/news-details/goud-%C3%A9n-silwer-ondanks-rooftog by black attackers at her Virginia home 25 February 2015 -- Story by journalist Alet van der Walt 2015-03-05 17-year-old Hennenman High School pupil Cironka Nel's cool determination helped save her and her parents from armed black male home-invaders - and just hours later she won a silver and gold medal for discus-throwing at the Interschool ATheletics Meet. The Afrikaner teen's ' cucumber-cool' reaction to the armed robbery was the key to survival. Her dad is Ronnie Nel of the popular angling resort 'Ron se Gat' at the Sandrivier near Virginia. She spent Wednesday evening at her parental home - usually she's at the high school hostel so that she could participate in the following day's athletic meet. She woke up in the middle of the night when she realized that a stranger was in her bedroom. Three black thugs had snuck into the Nel home, forced her parents to the teen's bedroom and tied them up. One housebreaker had a firearm. The others carried large knives - even though they claimed they 'didn't want to hurt anyone'. When the thugs got busy with the safe when they found the safe-key, Cironka removed the battery of her cellphone and hid it: she didn't want it stolen and was afraid it would ring during the robbery. The thugs looted the family's firearms, cash, cellphones, a playstation, a computer tablet. When they left the Nel family was able to get lose from their bonds - and because her cellphone wasn't stolen Cironka was able to phone a neighbour: who alerted the police. Cironka said that the thugs left behind spoor showing that they had hidden behind a tree neer the window they had broken to get in. And it was clear that they had fled in the direction of the nearby mine. Other details: the dogs didn't bark much and the family suspects that the dogs knew the attackers. After this night of drama, when Cironka didn't get much sleep, she and her mom Ciska had to catch the bus to Potchefstroom for the athletics meet. She said she was a bit shaky - but determined. In her first event, the under-19's discus throwing, she won gold; and in the weight-lifting she won second place. She said the previous night's events 'left her spooked'. The Virginia SAPS is looking for the house-breakers. The investigating officer is warrant officer David Dlamini at 082-455-6063 Goud en silver ondanks roofoorval: http://www.vistanews.co.za/230970/news-details/goud-%C3%A9n-silwer-ondanks-rooftog https://www.facebook.com/boerekrisisaksie/photos/np.45994704.100004102094863/1104803432879534/?type=1&notif_t=notify_me