Best News & Entertainment '24

Maryn Blignaut

Education: BA in Communication Science, University of South Africa (2012–2016), AFP Digital Investigation Techniques (GNI, 2023), Google News Initiative training (2024), Thomson Reuters Foundation AI Adoption Training and WAN-IFRA Women in News Programme (2025)

Experience: Briefly News (2017-present)

Awards: - Best Appealing Storytelling: Highest Average Pageviews, 2023 by Briefly News - Awarded the 2023 Gender Mainstreaming Award (Empowerment of Women in the Community) as part of the Briefly News team

Maryn Blignaut is the Editor-in-Chief at Briefly News, with nine years of experience in digital journalism. She holds a BA in Communication Science from the University of South Africa (2016) and specialises in digital storytelling and feature writing. She has completed advanced professional training in media and innovation, including the AFP Digital Investigation Techniques course, multiple Google News Initiative programmes, Thomson Reuters AI Adoption Training, and the WAN-IFRA Women in News leadership programme. For enquiries, contact maryn.blignaut@briefly.co.za

1172 articles published since 30 Oct 2017

Author's articles

What is going on? Reactions as couple show up for their wedding reception in robes, boxing gloves

What is going on? Reactions as couple show up for their wedding reception in robes, boxing gloves

Africa

4 years ago

Lady who spent 10 years after high school working to fund herself finally bags 1st degree at 30

Lady who spent 10 years after high school working to fund herself finally bags 1st degree at 30

Africa

4 years ago

My boss threatened to sack me & I just found video of him having affair in our office - man narrates

My boss threatened to sack me & I just found video of him having affair in our office - man narrates

Africa

4 years ago

Rearrange the alphabets: Reactions as man reveals what he got after paying R4.5k for designer sneakers

Rearrange the alphabets: Reactions as man reveals what he got after paying R4.5k for designer sneakers

World

4 years ago

4 talented boys dig out mud, use it to mould cute Bugatti Chiron with crazy speed

4 talented boys dig out mud, use it to mould cute Bugatti Chiron with crazy speed

Asia

4 years ago

A look at the new HUAWEI nova smartphones: Select your best HUAWEI nova today

A look at the new HUAWEI nova smartphones: Select your best HUAWEI nova today

Feature

4 years ago

I’m here for you ma: Rapper Drake sends DM to troll’s wife after her husband insulted his son Adonis

I’m here for you ma: Rapper Drake sends DM to troll’s wife after her husband insulted his son Adonis

US

4 years ago

Popular Canadian rapper, Drake, reacted after a man trolled his son, Adonis. The music star followed the troll's wife on Instagram and sent her a DM. Read more.

Tithes & offerings: My church paid my school fees throughout university - lady shares experience

Tithes & offerings: My church paid my school fees throughout university - lady shares experience

Africa

4 years ago

A beautiful lady stirred massive reactions on social media after she revealed that her church was responsible for her school fees all through her university.

Sweet moment man surprised mum of 4 homeless for 2 years with R401k and a new house, she weeps hard in video

Sweet moment man surprised mum of 4 homeless for 2 years with R401k and a new house, she weeps hard in video

US

4 years ago

For 2 years, a mother with 4 kids lived in tents as she couldn't afford a house after losing her job. However, a kind man stepped in and changed her story.

Chris Rock Takes Swipe at Will Smith after Comedian Dave Chappelle Attack on Stage

Chris Rock Takes Swipe at Will Smith after Comedian Dave Chappelle Attack on Stage

US

4 years ago

Humourist Chris Rock teased award winning actor Will Smith after a man charged at comedian Dave Chappelle as he was performing. Chris had been slapped by Will.

I gave my iPhone 13 to a lady I met to key in her number only for her to run away with it - man reveals

I gave my iPhone 13 to a lady I met to key in her number only for her to run away with it - man reveals

Africa

4 years ago

A devastated young man has recently opened up about how he lost his iPhone 13 to a lady he met outside and was try to get her number. She ran away with it.

Excited young man celebrates receiving Honda Accord as birthday gift from girlfriend; many are wowed

Excited young man celebrates receiving Honda Accord as birthday gift from girlfriend; many are wowed

Africa

4 years ago

A young man appears to have gotten many social media users shocked after taking to Twitter to reveal that his girlfriend got a Honda Accord for his birthday.

'Wild' video of gigantic python crossing road during strange hours at night causes stir; peeps react

'Wild' video of gigantic python crossing road during strange hours at night causes stir; peeps react

Africa

4 years ago

A video of a massive snake crossing the street late in the night has surfaced on social media and caused several members of the cyber community to panic. Watch.

Pizza Delivery Man Sues 16 Friends after They Won R15.7m in Lottery but Didn't Share

Pizza Delivery Man Sues 16 Friends after They Won R15.7m in Lottery but Didn't Share

US

4 years ago

Philip Tsotsos has accused his 16 friends of refusing to share part of the R15.7m they won in a lottery despite him not having contributed to buy the ticket.

Drama as Elderly Man Taken to Morgue in Body Bag While Still Alive

Drama as Elderly Man Taken to Morgue in Body Bag While Still Alive

Asia

4 years ago

An elderly man was mistakenly declared dead and taken to a morgue in in a body bag while still alive in Shangai, China. The worst mistake caused uproar online.

Maryn Blignaut