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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Lady shoots her shot on Facebook and marries crush, shares screenshots chats

Lady shoots her shot on Facebook and marries crush, shares screenshots chats

Africa

4 years ago

A lady has changed the popular Nigerian narrative when it comes to relationships as she messaged a man first on Facebook and has eventually married her lover.

Video of little girl preaching to win souls for Christ goes viral

Video of little girl preaching to win souls for Christ goes viral

Africa

4 years ago

A young girl was seen preaching with all her might in a trotro. The video taken in Ghana was shared online and many people have been reacting to it differently.

Woman Dies in Accident on First Day of Reporting to Her Dream Job

Woman Dies in Accident on First Day of Reporting to Her Dream Job

Africa

4 years ago

Penelope Kyomuhendo was killed on the first day she was set to report to her dream job at the finance ministry. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Bill and Melinda Gates' Daughter Jennifer Weds Lover in Lavish Secret Ceremony

Bill and Melinda Gates' Daughter Jennifer Weds Lover in Lavish Secret Ceremony

US

4 years ago

Bill Gates daughter Jennifer held stunning wedding at her Westchester County horse farm on Saturday. New structures were constructed to be used for the event.

James Bond Actor Daniel Craig Says He Likes Going to Gay Bars to Avoid Aggressive Men

James Bond Actor Daniel Craig Says He Likes Going to Gay Bars to Avoid Aggressive Men

Europe

4 years ago

Apart from just the peace that came with gay bars, actor Craig said he enjoyed visiting the sites because he could "flirt" with women frequenting the gay bars.

Woman Narrates Hubby Proposed Before He Even Knew Her Name

Woman Narrates Hubby Proposed Before He Even Knew Her Name

Family and Relationships

4 years ago

A newlywed wife, Anisha Kyambadde said her husband, Ismi, asked her hand in marriage before he even got the chance to know her name. The two met 11 years ago.

From cleaner to pilot: A look at the inspiring story of Nokuthula Mchunu

From cleaner to pilot: A look at the inspiring story of Nokuthula Mchunu

People

4 years ago

The name Nokuthula Mchunu is now synonymous with dreaming and achieving. It has opened up flood gates of hope and at her age she become an inspiration to many.

Maryn Blignaut