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

Kim Kardashian Flaunts Photos of Her, Lover Pete Davidson Looking Glamourous at White House Press Dinner

Kim Kardashian Flaunts Photos of Her, Lover Pete Davidson Looking Glamourous at White House Press Dinner

US

4 years ago

100-year-old-man sets Guinness World Record for longest-serving employee in same company

100-year-old-man sets Guinness World Record for longest-serving employee in same company

World

4 years ago

“I'm a dedicated hardworking person” - Black teen who received over R126m in scholarship offers

“I'm a dedicated hardworking person” - Black teen who received over R126m in scholarship offers

US

4 years ago

She's made history: At 19, teen becomes youngest Black student ever to graduate law school in US

She's made history: At 19, teen becomes youngest Black student ever to graduate law school in US

US

4 years ago

Addicted giver: Woman wins R2.2bn in lottery jackpot, shares more than half to charity, gives strong reasons

Addicted giver: Woman wins R2.2bn in lottery jackpot, shares more than half to charity, gives strong reasons

Europe

4 years ago

Man Who Drinks His Month-Old Urine Says His Sister Hates Him Because of His Lifestyle

Man Who Drinks His Month-Old Urine Says His Sister Hates Him Because of His Lifestyle

Europe

4 years ago

Rural community rallies together to build classrooms, sell livestock and use grant money

Rural community rallies together to build classrooms, sell livestock and use grant money

People

4 years ago

Parents from a rural community sold their livestock and used grant money to further their children’s education after Government failed to deliver on promises.

My life is difficult: 70-year-old virgin still waiting for true love opens up in video, says it is painful

My life is difficult: 70-year-old virgin still waiting for true love opens up in video, says it is painful

Africa

4 years ago

Kamaliza Verena is a 70-year-old virgin still hoping to get a boyfriend before she kicks the bucket. The woman has been unlucky with love despite being loving.

Brilliant lady graduates as Medical Laboratory Scientist and valedictorian with 7 awards

Brilliant lady graduates as Medical Laboratory Scientist and valedictorian with 7 awards

US

4 years ago

Kamsi Muoka graduated as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. She emerged as a valedictorian and part of the top 1% students in her class with numerous awards...

Petrol attendant who graduated with a law degree lands dream job: "Trust God"

Petrol attendant who graduated with a law degree lands dream job: "Trust God"

People

4 years ago

Siphesihle Nqoro became an internet sensation last year after he proved that dreams come true. He bagged a law degree while working as a petrol attendant.

Video shows cute moment stranger gave a homeless man in wheelchair triple of his house rent, he wept hard

Video shows cute moment stranger gave a homeless man in wheelchair triple of his house rent, he wept hard

US

4 years ago

A homeless man in wheelchair identified as Michael was reduced to tears as a stranger gave him more than triple of his house rent. He had helped the stranger.

She didn't date me when I was broke, now she's back: Man says he will break lady's heart

She didn't date me when I was broke, now she's back: Man says he will break lady's heart

Africa

4 years ago

A man has said that he is planning on breaking a lady's heart and he will not be sorry about it at all. He revealed that the lady ignored him when he was broke.

The mother should be arrested: Outrage over video of little girl getting hair dyed blonde

The mother should be arrested: Outrage over video of little girl getting hair dyed blonde

Africa

4 years ago

A video has gone viral on social media which captures the moment a little girl is seen getting her short hair dyed blonde. The clip has sparked outrage online.

Donald Trump Vows Not to Rejoin Twitter after Friend Elon Musk Buys Platform

Donald Trump Vows Not to Rejoin Twitter after Friend Elon Musk Buys Platform

US

4 years ago

Former American president Donald Trump has vowed not to rejoin Twitter after his close friend Elon Musk purchased the giant communications platform for KSh 5t.

13-Year-Old Pursuing PhD in Physics Set to Graduate from University of Minnesota

13-Year-Old Pursuing PhD in Physics Set to Graduate from University of Minnesota

US

4 years ago

Elliott Tanner is set to graduate from the University of Minnesota with a PhD in physics and he is looking to become a theoretical physicist at the college.

Maryn Blignaut