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

Female soldier surprises mother in emotional video after returning from mission

Female soldier surprises mother in emotional video after returning from mission

World

4 years ago

Son celebrates dad who found love, got married aged 77: “Did the impossible”

Son celebrates dad who found love, got married aged 77: “Did the impossible”

World

4 years ago

Video of man posing with goats in a tree raises many eyebrows on social media

Video of man posing with goats in a tree raises many eyebrows on social media

World

4 years ago

Heartbroken woman gets the boot from work after going blind, no settlement given

Heartbroken woman gets the boot from work after going blind, no settlement given

World

4 years ago

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to jail for illegally financing election

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to jail for illegally financing election

World

4 years ago

Nando’s savage moments: 5 Clapbacks that are hotter than their chicken

Nando’s savage moments: 5 Clapbacks that are hotter than their chicken

People

4 years ago

Woman who has been saving every month finds only R220 in her piggy bank

Woman who has been saving every month finds only R220 in her piggy bank

World

4 years ago

A Nigerian lady has taken to social media to cry out over missing money after breaking her piggy bank to make emergency withdrawal. The lady found only N6k.

India shuts down internet to curb cheating in teacher eligibility exam

India shuts down internet to curb cheating in teacher eligibility exam

World

4 years ago

As hundreds of thousands of candidates recently sat India's Rajasthan Teacher Eligibility Test, authorities shut down internet connectivity to curb cheating.

Man fulfils dream, strikes pose as he marks buying a house and job promotion

Man fulfils dream, strikes pose as he marks buying a house and job promotion

World

4 years ago

A man has taken to social media to celebrate fulfilling his dream of becoming a house owner.The excited man also announced that he got a promotion at work.

Bride’s dad steals the show at wedding with lit dance moves, video wows many

Bride’s dad steals the show at wedding with lit dance moves, video wows many

World

4 years ago

A bride and her dad were the cynosure of all eyes as they showcased great dance skills. In the adorable video, the duo went head to head showcasing cool moves.

Woman accepts best friend’s proposal, shares sweet photos online

Woman accepts best friend’s proposal, shares sweet photos online

World

4 years ago

A lot of social media users are reacting to the story of a lady who accepted her bestie's proposal. She shared pictures from their engagement. Many are amazed.

Groom and his groomsmen light up dancefloor with amazing moves in viral video

Groom and his groomsmen light up dancefloor with amazing moves in viral video

World

4 years ago

A young man that married a Nigerian lady got many talking online after displaying amazing dancing skills with his his groomsmen. The video warmed hearts online.

Groom overjoyed after bride gifts him PS5 on wedding day, video warms hearts

Groom overjoyed after bride gifts him PS5 on wedding day, video warms hearts

World

4 years ago

A groom recently warmed hearts on social media with his reaction to the wedding gift he received from his bride on their wedding day. The woman gifted him PS 5.

Lady who delivered through CS & lost her memory hails hubby for his support

Lady who delivered through CS & lost her memory hails hubby for his support

World

4 years ago

Maame Achaa husband stood strongly by her side when she had her c-section and became bedridden. The story was shared on Facebook and it quickly went viral.

Artist creates photocopy pencil portraits in just 1 minute, videos go viral

Artist creates photocopy pencil portraits in just 1 minute, videos go viral

World

4 years ago

Aewura_arts, as she is known on Twitter, is a beautiful, talented artist. She is able to create exact images of people using only pencil in one-minute videos.

Maryn Blignaut