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

From riches to rags: Former millionaire photographer now hawking masks

From riches to rags: Former millionaire photographer now hawking masks

World

4 years ago

Man proposes to bae after sending helicopter to pick her up, video goes viral

Man proposes to bae after sending helicopter to pick her up, video goes viral

World

4 years ago

Odame Jones: Visually impaired since 2005, teacher braves odds to become a lawyer

Odame Jones: Visually impaired since 2005, teacher braves odds to become a lawyer

World

4 years ago

Couple express love by doing choreography with ball, video warms hearts

Couple express love by doing choreography with ball, video warms hearts

World

4 years ago

Couple who’ve been happily married for 33 years mark anniversary with funny pics

Couple who’ve been happily married for 33 years mark anniversary with funny pics

World

4 years ago

14-year-old gorilla whose photobomb went viral dies in the arms of man who rescued her

14-year-old gorilla whose photobomb went viral dies in the arms of man who rescued her

World

4 years ago

Stunning lady boldly proposes in public, bae rejects her and walks away in video

Stunning lady boldly proposes in public, bae rejects her and walks away in video

World

4 years ago

A beautiful lady's marriage proposal to a man was rejected. The lady went on her knees but the man simply walked past and left her motionless. Many are reacting

Baking king: Talented soldier makes giant castle cake for fairytale wedding

Baking king: Talented soldier makes giant castle cake for fairytale wedding

World

4 years ago

Corporal Amenyo the CEO of Bakers' King has created a giant edible cake with full wiring for a wedding. It is the first of its kind for fairytale weddings.

Lady makes history at UNILAG, bags only 1st-class in class, shares result proof

Lady makes history at UNILAG, bags only 1st-class in class, shares result proof

World

4 years ago

A smart lady has celebrated her academic success on social media. Olajumoke Sorungbe finished from UNILAG as the only person with a first-class in her class.

Lady who did not have money for fees gets scholarship at UK university

Lady who did not have money for fees gets scholarship at UK university

World

4 years ago

An inspiring lady who has ridden on the wings of scholarship to pass through secondary school to varsity has done it again. She was offered scholarship in UK.

Woman steps up to defend bae and gets surprised with a proposal, video goes viral

Woman steps up to defend bae and gets surprised with a proposal, video goes viral

World

4 years ago

A video has shown the moment a loving lady defended her bae from another woman in public. The boyfriend being defended later proposed to his loyal girlfriend.

World Teachers’ Day: 5 Inspiring educators who have gone viral in Mzansi

World Teachers’ Day: 5 Inspiring educators who have gone viral in Mzansi

People

4 years ago

Today, 05 October, is World Teachers’ Day. In honour of the dedicated and hardworking educators, Briefly News took a look at five inspiring local teachers.

Haibo: Man narrates how he was jailed for 10 years after his friend stole money

Haibo: Man narrates how he was jailed for 10 years after his friend stole money

World

4 years ago

Kofi Sarfo, a young man in Ghana who comes from Nkwanta says he was jailed for 10 years. Meanwhile, he was not the actual culprit. Full interview available.

Lady fires prayers on husband in video at their wedding reception

Lady fires prayers on husband in video at their wedding reception

World

4 years ago

A stunning lady has stirred much reactions online as she prayed for her husband on their wedding day, wishing him the best. She said nations will come to him.

Former taxi driver opens own college, gives scholarships to poor people

Former taxi driver opens own college, gives scholarships to poor people

World

4 years ago

Despite being raised in a ghetto, Kerine Davis has risen to become the founder of a college providing ad imparting training and knowledge to its students. Read.

Maryn Blignaut