MINKE'S MEDAL HAUL

This talented swimmer is setting records and breaking boundaries

- PIETER VAN ZYL

THE clinking of metal sounds like Christmas bells as she walks into the sunroom of her parents’ home in George in the Western Cape. Minke Janse van Rensburg is laden with medals – some hang over her arms and others are draped around her neck.

The 19-year-old has every reason to show off her achievements: she recently returned from Italy where she made her debut at the European Down Syndrome Championships in Italy and brought home six medals – one gold, four silver and one bronze.

“It’s really nice,” she says of her haul.

Minke is making a splash in swimming circles. Earlier this year she was named the South African sportswoman of the year with a disability by the department of sport, arts and culture.

She’s also one of only three swimmers with Down syndrome worldwide to set an open world record against participants of all ages as a junior swimmer (16 years and younger).

Parents Hennie and Aletta (both 56) are thrilled with the achievements of their “poppet”.

Hennie says it’s droëwors that gives Minke such prowess in the pool. “There’s always droëwors in the house for her. About 20 minutes after exercise, we believe she needs to have some protein.”

But her determination has brought her this far too, he adds. His daughter doesn’t let anything get her down. If strangers stare at her in public, she’ll go up to them confidently and give them a personalised business card a supporter made for her that lists all her achievements.

“She’ll tell them, ‘Yes, I’m very famous – that’s probably why you’re looking at me like this’,” Hennie says.