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

Over R3.6 Million Raised for Man Who Spent 43 Years in Prison for Crimes He Did Not Commit

Over R3.6 Million Raised for Man Who Spent 43 Years in Prison for Crimes He Did Not Commit

US

4 years ago

Adele Bursts Into Tears after Reuniting with Primary School Teacher Who Believed in Her

Adele Bursts Into Tears after Reuniting with Primary School Teacher Who Believed in Her

Europe

4 years ago

British Company Asks Employees to Work Four Days a Week, Doesn't Implement Paycuts

British Company Asks Employees to Work Four Days a Week, Doesn't Implement Paycuts

Europe

4 years ago

Teacher builds Taj Mahal mansion replica for wife, says he wants it to be talk of town

Teacher builds Taj Mahal mansion replica for wife, says he wants it to be talk of town

Asia

4 years ago

Eric Abidal: Ex Barca Star Publicly Begs Wife for Forgiveness After Affair with Psg Women's Star

Eric Abidal: Ex Barca Star Publicly Begs Wife for Forgiveness After Affair with Psg Women's Star

Europe

4 years ago

Kanye West’s Son Saint Over the Moon after Playing American Football with Legend Tom Brady

Kanye West’s Son Saint Over the Moon after Playing American Football with Legend Tom Brady

US

4 years ago

Young coffin maker becomes a millionaire after selling space rock that fell into his house for R29m

Young coffin maker becomes a millionaire after selling space rock that fell into his house for R29m

World

4 years ago

A coffin maker got 30 years worth of his usual salary after selling a space rock that fell into his for a whopping R29 million. He was home when it happened.

Young man resigns from his job, says he wants to spend time watching trains and laughing, many react

Young man resigns from his job, says he wants to spend time watching trains and laughing, many react

Europe

4 years ago

A young man stunned many social media users when he announced that he has quit his job to become a full time trainspotter, an activity he finds fulfilment in.

If your phone rings in church, you're a poor man: Pastor reveals, people react

If your phone rings in church, you're a poor man: Pastor reveals, people react

Africa

4 years ago

A popular African pastor, David Ibiyeomie, has said that only a poor man will be so concerned with their phone ringing in the church when service is going on.

Woman overcomes challenges, bags PhD despite being blind, her photos stir reactions

Woman overcomes challenges, bags PhD despite being blind, her photos stir reactions

Africa

4 years ago

An inspiring woman has wowed people on social media after her sister revealed that despite being visually impaired, she succeeded and bagged a doctorate degree.

Man converts aeroplane into big and long car, says he spent R15m while making it, video goes viral

Man converts aeroplane into big and long car, says he spent R15m while making it, video goes viral

US

4 years ago

A man called Frank has shown the jet-limo he made using about 4 vehicles and a fuselage. The man said that it was designed to give the owner a feel of a plane.

Woman whose family had made funeral arrangements wakes up from 60 day coma

Woman whose family had made funeral arrangements wakes up from 60 day coma

US

4 years ago

After 60 days in a coma, doctors predicted Bettina Lerman would not make it. However, a day before doctors switched off life support, the 69-year-old woke up.

Groom's mum leads people in dance at reception, many follow her moves in video

Groom's mum leads people in dance at reception, many follow her moves in video

Africa

4 years ago

A woman showed off the stuff she is made up of at her son's wedding when it comes to dancing. She led many people on the dance floor with great excitement.

It took me 9 years: Man builds beautiful supercar with woods, used walnuts for the tyres & drives it in video

It took me 9 years: Man builds beautiful supercar with woods, used walnuts for the tyres & drives it in video

World

4 years ago

A man identified as Joe Harmon has built a fine supercar using woods. he said it took him 9 years to build and it consists of 20 kinds of woods. He drives it.

Say sorry to mummy; Little girl tells her unborn baby brother kicking in pregnant mum's tummy in cute video

Say sorry to mummy; Little girl tells her unborn baby brother kicking in pregnant mum's tummy in cute video

US

4 years ago

A girl's conversation with her unborn brother has left many gushing on social media. The girl had told her unborn brother to say sorry to their pregnant mum.

Maryn Blignaut