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

Man stunned as his wife surprises him with R140k money stashed in cake for his birthday

Man stunned as his wife surprises him with R140k money stashed in cake for his birthday

World

4 years ago

Kim Kardashian steps out covered in unconventional head-to-toe leather suit

Kim Kardashian steps out covered in unconventional head-to-toe leather suit

World

4 years ago

Daniel Craig says he locked himself inside his home to hide from James Bond fame

Daniel Craig says he locked himself inside his home to hide from James Bond fame

World

4 years ago

Man surprises wife with Range Rover & other gifts on birthday, video goes viral

Man surprises wife with Range Rover & other gifts on birthday, video goes viral

World

4 years ago

Good Samaritans heading home from bible study rescue elderly couple from burning car

Good Samaritans heading home from bible study rescue elderly couple from burning car

World

4 years ago

Singer Rihanna reportedly drops lawsuit against her dad Ronald Fenty

Singer Rihanna reportedly drops lawsuit against her dad Ronald Fenty

World

4 years ago

Work from home: Design company asks employees to only report to office 8 times a year

Work from home: Design company asks employees to only report to office 8 times a year

World

4 years ago

During the pandemic, tech company Canva experienced the flexibility that comes with working from home and wants its employees to continue enjoying that freedom.

Lupita Nyong’o pays tribute to late Michael K. Williams, says she was drawn to his kind eyes

Lupita Nyong’o pays tribute to late Michael K. Williams, says she was drawn to his kind eyes

World

4 years ago

Lupita Nyong'o said she was drawn to Michael K. Williams' eyes during their first meeting. She noted the actor was kind enough to narrate where he got his scar.

Billionaire plans to build new city in the desert, project will cost R5.6trn & accommodate 5 million people

Billionaire plans to build new city in the desert, project will cost R5.6trn & accommodate 5 million people

World

4 years ago

A former Walmart executive, Marc Lore, has unveiled plans to build a new city from scratch and this project will be in the American desert. It will cost $400bn.

Jeff Bezos reportedly invests in startup aiming to reverse ageing

Jeff Bezos reportedly invests in startup aiming to reverse ageing

World

4 years ago

The world’s richest man Jeff Bezos reportedly invested in Altos Labs, a startup company that is researching reversing biological ageing and extending human life

Doctor accuses friend and colleague of stealing wife, shares video as proof

Doctor accuses friend and colleague of stealing wife, shares video as proof

World

4 years ago

A sad man has gone on Facebook to accuse his friend of working together with a colleague to get his wife from him. He said that the man flew her to Dubai.

Jubilation as Cristiano Ronaldo spotted at Man United's training ahead of Newcastle game

Jubilation as Cristiano Ronaldo spotted at Man United's training ahead of Newcastle game

World

4 years ago

Cristiano Ronaldo could join the rest of the team in training tomorrow after his meeting with his new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Carrington complex today.

Bobby Shmurda confronts fan for throwing water bottle in his face at concert

Bobby Shmurda confronts fan for throwing water bottle in his face at concert

World

4 years ago

Bobby Shmurda was hit by an object from the crowd at the Made in America concert and he was not holding back. He has his team to thank for their swift action.

Big Bang Theory actress Kaley Cuoco removed estranged hubby from Instagram bio

Big Bang Theory actress Kaley Cuoco removed estranged hubby from Instagram bio

World

4 years ago

The actress Kaley recently made some changes on the bio and removed her hubby name from the description, a clear indication she has moved on from her breakup.

‘Chasing girls is my hobby’: Job applicant writes his favorite activities on CV

‘Chasing girls is my hobby’: Job applicant writes his favorite activities on CV

World

4 years ago

A young job applicant has written a CV that is gathering a lot of attention online. In the section where he was writing about his hobbies; he broke a secret

Maryn Blignaut