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

Entrepreneur and accountant Tinashe Zano plugs SA with saving and budgeting tips

Entrepreneur and accountant Tinashe Zano plugs SA with saving and budgeting tips

People

2 years ago

Barefoot beginnings to powerhouse entrepreneur: Tinashe Zano saved 2 years to start a business

Barefoot beginnings to powerhouse entrepreneur: Tinashe Zano saved 2 years to start a business

People

2 years ago

The good, the bad & the handsome: A look at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 5 kids

The good, the bad & the handsome: A look at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 5 kids

Family and Relationships

2 years ago

The luxury life of Thembinkosi Lorch: Inside the footballer's trips, designer clothes and cars

The luxury life of Thembinkosi Lorch: Inside the footballer's trips, designer clothes and cars

Feature

2 years ago

"Black tax is killing my dreams": Man who dreams of getting a degree fights mom over savings, expert helps

"Black tax is killing my dreams": Man who dreams of getting a degree fights mom over savings, expert helps

Opinion

2 years ago

“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

Fulufhelani Mashapha is a former top Limpopo matric who is now helping South Africans budget. The Actuarial Specialist published a book on personal finances.

'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

A bride is caught between her parents and partner and doesn't know what to do. Relationship expert Shelley Lewin gives six helpful tips to mend ties.

‘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

@kleinkwagga1 steals the show at a school concert with his dance moves to Bernice West’s 'Lyfie.' Dressed in khaki, this young farmer got over 7.4M views on TikTok.

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

The matric results were released on 19 January and Caitlin Anstey was named Rustenburg Girls' High School's top pupil with an impressive 96.3% and 8 distinctions.

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

Karabo Letsoalo lost his mother when he was just 12. He faced every struggle until a kind business owner changed his life. Karabo now empowers other people..

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.

Maryn Blignaut