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

American legend Shaquille O' Neal blesses crying boy, buys him new shoes & coat, tells him to hug his dad

American legend Shaquille O' Neal blesses crying boy, buys him new shoes & coat, tells him to hug his dad

US

4 years ago

Man Engages Woman Who Got Stuck with Him During Blind Date After Lockdown

Man Engages Woman Who Got Stuck with Him During Blind Date After Lockdown

Asia

4 years ago

Machine Gun Kelly Says He Bought Fiance ‘Thorny’ Ring So It Hurts when She Tries to Remove It

Machine Gun Kelly Says He Bought Fiance ‘Thorny’ Ring So It Hurts when She Tries to Remove It

US

4 years ago

Cardi B: Relative of Victims in Bronx Fire Laud Rapper as Angel for Offering to Cover Burial Costs

Cardi B: Relative of Victims in Bronx Fire Laud Rapper as Angel for Offering to Cover Burial Costs

US

4 years ago

Man embarrasses girlfriend as he shows up at her hospital to seek her hand in marriage in cute proposal video

Man embarrasses girlfriend as he shows up at her hospital to seek her hand in marriage in cute proposal video

US

4 years ago

29-Year-Old Mother of 8 Says She and Husband Are Expecting 9th Child Together

29-Year-Old Mother of 8 Says She and Husband Are Expecting 9th Child Together

US

4 years ago

Everything wanted to discourage me, but I went to school and graduated: Physically challenged man narrates

Everything wanted to discourage me, but I went to school and graduated: Physically challenged man narrates

Africa

4 years ago

A physically challenged man narrated how he was able to put up with the rigours of schooling. He empowered himself by going to the gym. He graduated and served.

Tik Toker Admits Sending Herself Drinks from Fake Secret Admirers so People Can Think She's in Demand

Tik Toker Admits Sending Herself Drinks from Fake Secret Admirers so People Can Think She's in Demand

US

4 years ago

A video of a lady named Sofia Franklyn admitting that she secretly sends herself a drink from a fake secret admirer on first dates has gone viral on TikTok.

74-Year-Old Woman Who Spent 27 Years in Prison for Crime She Didn't Commit Released

74-Year-Old Woman Who Spent 27 Years in Prison for Crime She Didn't Commit Released

US

4 years ago

Joyce Watkins, 74, was jailed in 1987 alongside her then-boyfriend Charlie Dunn for the murder of her great-niece. They were acquitted, but he died in prison.

'I've 13 children with 5 different women' - Man reveals in video

'I've 13 children with 5 different women' - Man reveals in video

Africa

4 years ago

A German-based Ghanaian man, Chief Adom, has opened up about his private and marriage life as he revealed that he has 13 children with five different women.

Man, 24, who hawks in traffic dressed in suit finally speaks, says he loves it

Man, 24, who hawks in traffic dressed in suit finally speaks, says he loves it

World

4 years ago

A young hardworking man, 24, who hawks dressed in suit during traffic has finally spoken on his style. He said he loves it and doesn't care what people think.

Man turns down over 60 offers to sell family home in the middle of multibillion construction project

Man turns down over 60 offers to sell family home in the middle of multibillion construction project

World

4 years ago

Orlando Capote's home stands in the middle of a project said to be the biggest commercial development in the town, but for him, it is like selling his soul.

Boy, 6, born without arms due to rare condition, young mom left fighting for their survival

Boy, 6, born without arms due to rare condition, young mom left fighting for their survival

Family and Relationships

4 years ago

A mom feels like there is little hope for her and her son’s lives. She has been left struggling emotionally and financially after her son was born disabled.

Top 10 richest politicians in South Africa and how they made their moola

Top 10 richest politicians in South Africa and how they made their moola

People

4 years ago

Some of South Africa’s politicians are making serious bank. Briefly News took a look at the 10 comrades who are worth millions, and even billions, as of 2021.

Patrick Salvado: Comedian Reveals He Pays His Wife 30% of All Money He Makes

Patrick Salvado: Comedian Reveals He Pays His Wife 30% of All Money He Makes

Africa

4 years ago

Ugandan humorist Patrick Salvado has disclosed that he pays his wife 30% of all the money he makes from comedy shows, whether she was part of the deal or not.

Maryn Blignaut