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

1169 articles published since 30 Oct 2017

Author's articles

Groom puts on dance show for his bride at wedding with help of his groomsmen

Groom puts on dance show for his bride at wedding with help of his groomsmen

World

4 years ago

Kim Kardashian says Kanye West is most inspiring person to her despite divorce

Kim Kardashian says Kanye West is most inspiring person to her despite divorce

US

4 years ago

Proud husband showers wife with praise as she becomes a lawyer

Proud husband showers wife with praise as she becomes a lawyer

Africa

4 years ago

Young driver reveals he got dumped after losing his job, sparks reaction

Young driver reveals he got dumped after losing his job, sparks reaction

Africa

4 years ago

Nigerian student Jango finally graduates from UNIJOS after 13 years, photos cause stir

Nigerian student Jango finally graduates from UNIJOS after 13 years, photos cause stir

World

4 years ago

Young man warms hearts as he displays amazing legwork in cute video

Young man warms hearts as he displays amazing legwork in cute video

World

4 years ago

Man who faked his own death over R7.8m Covid19 relief scam sentenced to 56 months in prison

Man who faked his own death over R7.8m Covid19 relief scam sentenced to 56 months in prison

US

4 years ago

A man identified as David Staveley has been sentenced to 56 months in prison after trying to scam the United States government of nearly $544k (R7.8 million).

Woman wows many as she juggles ball while carrying baby, adorable video warms hearts

Woman wows many as she juggles ball while carrying baby, adorable video warms hearts

World

4 years ago

A woman has wowed many on social media after juggling ball while carrying a baby in her arm. Many commended her after her video was shared on social media.

Sweet moment little kid 'asks' airport security for permission before rushing to give aunt goodbye hug

Sweet moment little kid 'asks' airport security for permission before rushing to give aunt goodbye hug

World

4 years ago

A video has captured an adorable aunt-kid moment at an airport. In the clip, a little kid had asked the airport security for permission before hugging her aunt.

Lady falls in love with student who passed note to her in class, sparks reaction

Lady falls in love with student who passed note to her in class, sparks reaction

Africa

4 years ago

A young man's attempt at wooing a lady by giving her love note during lecture in class has yielded fruits. In a recent development, both of them are now lovers.

Video shows bouncers forcing lady to accept proposal from boo after walking out on him, many say it's staged

Video shows bouncers forcing lady to accept proposal from boo after walking out on him, many say it's staged

Africa

4 years ago

A young lady made a scene in a video making the rounds on social media in which she could be seen rejecting marriage proposal from her boyfriend of four years.

Kanye West shows off weird prosthetic mask while walking at airport

Kanye West shows off weird prosthetic mask while walking at airport

US

4 years ago

Kanye West was earlier donning the normal mask before he was spotted for the second time with his weird face masks. He has always been a fan of face coverings.

Female soldier, 20, to build borehole for villagers after learning they drink dirty water

Female soldier, 20, to build borehole for villagers after learning they drink dirty water

Africa

4 years ago

A 20-year-old female corps member unhappy that villagers where she was posted consume dirty water is set to provide them with free clean water but needs help.

Young man surprises many people, wears 'skirt' to his wedding ceremony, viral video stirs reactions

Young man surprises many people, wears 'skirt' to his wedding ceremony, viral video stirs reactions

Africa

4 years ago

A man who dressed like a Scotsman to his wedding and wore a pleated skirt has got people talking. Not many social media users understand his style of dressing.

Lady celebrates 2 national awards in UK 5 years after leaving Africa, many react

Lady celebrates 2 national awards in UK 5 years after leaving Africa, many react

Africa

4 years ago

A lady has taken to social media to celebrate her feats 5 years after she decided to leave Nigeria for the United Kingdom. She has bagged 2 national awards.

Maryn Blignaut