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

1169 articles published since 30 Oct 2017

Author's articles

“Where did my mojo go?”: Wife loses her libido, expert helps save marriage

“Where did my mojo go?”: Wife loses her libido, expert helps save marriage

Opinion

2 years ago

From top matric to Actuarial Specialist: Fulufhelani Mashapha's journey to financial guru

From top matric to Actuarial Specialist: Fulufhelani Mashapha's journey to financial guru

Feature

2 years ago

'My fiance and parents are fighting': Expert tips for reuniting partner and parents pre-wedding

'My fiance and parents are fighting': Expert tips for reuniting partner and parents pre-wedding

Opinion

2 years ago

‘Lyfie’ dance sensation: Video of cute kid in khaki's moves garners 7.4M TikTok views

‘Lyfie’ dance sensation: Video of cute kid in khaki's moves garners 7.4M TikTok views

People

2 years ago

Meet Caitlin Anstey, the matric pupil who got 96.3% average & 8 distinctions, dreams of career in engineering

Meet Caitlin Anstey, the matric pupil who got 96.3% average & 8 distinctions, dreams of career in engineering

Education

2 years ago

Turning hardships into opportunities: Meet orphaned kid who became a businessman

Turning hardships into opportunities: Meet orphaned kid who became a businessman

People

2 years ago

Kaizer Chiefs' Itu Khune and Sphelele Makhunga's year in review: Photos of lavish trips and makoti duties

Kaizer Chiefs' Itu Khune and Sphelele Makhunga's year in review: Photos of lavish trips and makoti duties

Family and Relationships

2 years ago

Itu Khune has been suspended, demoted and mocked by his ex girlfriend, Minnie Dlamini, this year. His wife, Sphelele Makhunga, has been by his side through it all.

TikTok sensation Kase Brown treats devoted mom to R376k Cape Town getaway

TikTok sensation Kase Brown treats devoted mom to R376k Cape Town getaway

Family and Relationships

2 years ago

In a touching TikTok video, @kasebrown generously treated her devoted mother, who sacrificed everything for her, to an extravagant 10-day R376k trip to Cape Town.

Woman tracks down online scammer and demands money back in viral TikTok video, SA applauds her

Woman tracks down online scammer and demands money back in viral TikTok video, SA applauds her

People

2 years ago

Tracking down a scammer who sold her corsets, @somdanger_the_pitbull demanded her money back in a TikTok video. The clip went viral and South Africans praised her.

Woman and her kids sleep outside because husband has girlfriend over, TikTok video causes frenzy

Woman and her kids sleep outside because husband has girlfriend over, TikTok video causes frenzy

Family and Relationships

2 years ago

A TikTok update reveals a mom and her kids were forced to sleep outside after her husband brought home his girlfriend. South Africans are appalled by the ordeal.

Woman's TikTok video about end of her 10-year marriage gets 1.9 million views, SA sad for 5 kids

Woman's TikTok video about end of her 10-year marriage gets 1.9 million views, SA sad for 5 kids

Family and Relationships

2 years ago

After 10 years and five children together, a woman walked away from her cheating husband and detailed the decision on TikTok. The video has over 1.9 million views.

Eben Etzebeth unveils breathtaking home decor and ocean view, photos impress SA

Eben Etzebeth unveils breathtaking home decor and ocean view, photos impress SA

Family and Relationships

2 years ago

Eben and Alia Etzebeth unveiled newly furnished patio settings and interior views overlooking the ocean online. SA and Rachel Kolisi admired the stunning decor.

Siya Kolisi playfully calls out Eben Etzebeth on Instagram friendship rankings, SA here for bromance

Siya Kolisi playfully calls out Eben Etzebeth on Instagram friendship rankings, SA here for bromance

Rugby

2 years ago

Eben Etzebeth shared photos on Instagram to celebrate the 1-month anniversary of the RWC win and sparked a playful spat when Siya noticed his placement in the post.

Overnight millionaires: A look at SA's 5 biggest PowerBall winners worth a combined R785 million

Overnight millionaires: A look at SA's 5 biggest PowerBall winners worth a combined R785 million

Feature

2 years ago

Briefly News looks at the stories of South Africa's biggest PowerBall winners, from a historic R232 million jackpot to multiple life-changing wins.

Cresta Mall mermaid goes TikTok viral after tail gets caught in reef, South Africans react to video

Cresta Mall mermaid goes TikTok viral after tail gets caught in reef, South Africans react to video

People

2 years ago

Professional mermaid Nokukhanya.the_mermaid faced a perilous situation as her tail got caught in a viral TikTok video. Gabriela Green-Thompson addressed the danger.

Maryn Blignaut