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

Kind woman gives lunch, school supplies and backpacks to pupils in Africa

Kind woman gives lunch, school supplies and backpacks to pupils in Africa

World

4 years ago

Sister of Martin Luther King Jr turns 94; internet celebrates her

Sister of Martin Luther King Jr turns 94; internet celebrates her

World

4 years ago

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle named on Times’ 100 Most Influential People list

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle named on Times’ 100 Most Influential People list

World

4 years ago

It wasn't me: Nick Cannon claims he didn't propose to singer Ashanti

It wasn't me: Nick Cannon claims he didn't propose to singer Ashanti

World

4 years ago

Manchester United bested 2-1 by Young Boys in thrilling Champions League opener

Manchester United bested 2-1 by Young Boys in thrilling Champions League opener

World

4 years ago

Man leaves guardian, 74, in tears after surprising him with 1st ever flight

Man leaves guardian, 74, in tears after surprising him with 1st ever flight

World

4 years ago

Bride owns dancefloor with lit steps, teaches bridesmaids, groomsmen a lesson

Bride owns dancefloor with lit steps, teaches bridesmaids, groomsmen a lesson

World

4 years ago

A bride has wowed people with her amazing dancing skills in a heartwarming video that has gone viral on social media. She proved that she didn't come to play.

Company willing to pay volunteers R19.9k to watch 13 scariest movies ever made

Company willing to pay volunteers R19.9k to watch 13 scariest movies ever made

World

4 years ago

FinanceBuzz is working on research to find out if a horror movie's budget determines how scared the audience will be, and is willing to pay top dollar for that.

Restaurant delivery guy celebrated for helping stranded family on highway

Restaurant delivery guy celebrated for helping stranded family on highway

World

4 years ago

A Pizza Hut delivery biker named Tariq saw a car stranded in the middle of a highway and his first thought was to assist. His kindness did not go unnoticed.

I live for this: Fans go wild as Wizkid shutdown concert in News York City

I live for this: Fans go wild as Wizkid shutdown concert in News York City

World

4 years ago

Nigerian Starboy, Wizkid treated New York fans with scintillating performances during his concert, he left them stunned and treated them to great good music.

Wizkid bags best cinematography award at VMA, beats Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga

Wizkid bags best cinematography award at VMA, beats Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga

World

4 years ago

Wizkid has won another major award at the MTV VMA's for his efforts on Beyonce's brown skin girl video, Lil Nas X's call me my your name won video of the year.

Ben Affleck confronts fan for forcefully wanting selfie with lover Jennifer Lopez

Ben Affleck confronts fan for forcefully wanting selfie with lover Jennifer Lopez

World

4 years ago

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez were at their airport leaving Venice, Italy after the film festival when one maskless and shaggy fan tried to get too close.

Mzansi’s richest: A look at the 5 wealthiest South Africans in 2021

Mzansi’s richest: A look at the 5 wealthiest South Africans in 2021

People

4 years ago

Briefly News has taken a look at the five richest people in South Africa. We explore how they built their billion dollar empires and what they’re worth in 2021.

Haibo: Rapper Dan Sur gets gold chains surgically implanted into his scalp

Haibo: Rapper Dan Sur gets gold chains surgically implanted into his scalp

World

4 years ago

Young flamboyant Mexican rapper Dan Sur who also does raggatone labelled himself the first-ever rapper in human history to spot such luxurious jewelry for hair.

Driver returns R2 500 and laptop to student who forgot them in his vehicle

Driver returns R2 500 and laptop to student who forgot them in his vehicle

World

4 years ago

The honest driver from KST Sacco returned R2 500 and a laptop to the MKU student who had forgotten the items in the vehicle as he was alighting from his matatu.

Maryn Blignaut