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

Handsome man who met lady online proposes to her with “marry me” balloons in cute photos; many react

Handsome man who met lady online proposes to her with “marry me” balloons in cute photos; many react

World

4 years ago

Platinum Jubilee: Queen Elizabeth Marks 70 Years on Throne, Celebrates

Platinum Jubilee: Queen Elizabeth Marks 70 Years on Throne, Celebrates

Europe

4 years ago

Drinking alcohol won't stop you from going to heaven, it is medicinal - Catholic priest says in video

Drinking alcohol won't stop you from going to heaven, it is medicinal - Catholic priest says in video

Africa

4 years ago

Orphan Who Worked as Watchman, Sold Mangoes To Raise Fees Celebrates Nursing Career

Orphan Who Worked as Watchman, Sold Mangoes To Raise Fees Celebrates Nursing Career

Africa

4 years ago

Only girl in the world: Full list of men Rihanna dated before baby daddy ASAP Rocky

Only girl in the world: Full list of men Rihanna dated before baby daddy ASAP Rocky

US

4 years ago

From high heels to gumboots: Woman gives up corporate career to become farmer

From high heels to gumboots: Woman gives up corporate career to become farmer

People

4 years ago

New video shows inside simple one-bedroom and parlour house Peter Obi currently lives in with books in kitchen

New video shows inside simple one-bedroom and parlour house Peter Obi currently lives in with books in kitchen

Africa

4 years ago

A new video has shown the humble but fine one-bedroom and parlour house that Peter Obi currently lives in. According to the 60-year-old, two rooms are enough.

Woman breaks into weird dance moves on street while waiting for bus, forces lady to 'run away' in clip

Woman breaks into weird dance moves on street while waiting for bus, forces lady to 'run away' in clip

US

4 years ago

A woman caused a stir while waiting for a bus. The woman suddenly broke into dance moves without any public music in play, making a woman to leave the place.

Brilliant girl passes exams with stellar marks but doesn't have money to further her education

Brilliant girl passes exams with stellar marks but doesn't have money to further her education

Africa

4 years ago

A kind man, identified as Hammed Kayode Alabim, has taken to social media to show off the sterling WAEC result of a poor girl he had helped. She had 6 A1's.

Rihanna Bump: 6 Photos of Singer’s Authentic Street Pregnancy Announcement

Rihanna Bump: 6 Photos of Singer’s Authentic Street Pregnancy Announcement

US

4 years ago

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky hit the streets of New York City while bearing some important news that left many fans delighted. They will not have to wait for so long.

Reactions as dad shows off funny moves during family performance

Reactions as dad shows off funny moves during family performance

Africa

4 years ago

A happy family showed off their interesting dance moves in a video that got many reacting online. The dad's steps were so out of tune from the music playing.

Media personality marks 52nd birthday with beautiful photos; fans celebrate her new age

Media personality marks 52nd birthday with beautiful photos; fans celebrate her new age

Africa

4 years ago

Turning 52 looks good on media personality Gifty Anti as her birthday photos give a closer look at her ageless hue despite being over half a century old. Read.

Meet Dominic Oduro, the man who turned down university education to sell fried yam

Meet Dominic Oduro, the man who turned down university education to sell fried yam

Africa

4 years ago

Vendor of One Styk Fries, Dominic Oduro, has been selling fried yam for the past six years after he took over the food brand from his mother. Watch his video.

I sponsored her in school: Man whose girlfriend of 4 years turned down his proposal tearfully speaks

I sponsored her in school: Man whose girlfriend of 4 years turned down his proposal tearfully speaks

Africa

4 years ago

The broken man whose failed surprise marriage proposal had gone viral has opened up on why he confronted his ex-girlfriend at a birthday party with her man.

Sweet video shows moment little boy professed love to his father as soon as he returned from work, causes stir

Sweet video shows moment little boy professed love to his father as soon as he returned from work, causes stir

US

4 years ago

A video capturing a short father and son moment has melted hearts on social media. The kid spoke like an adult as he professed love to his father in a cute way.

Maryn Blignaut