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

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

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

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

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

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

Nick Cannon Says He Spends Over R3.6 million to Entertain His 12 Kids

Nick Cannon Says He Spends Over R3.6 million to Entertain His 12 Kids

Celebrities

2 years ago

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.

TikTok video of swimmer's near-death experience in Cape Town ocean garners 8.3M views, netizens left stressed

TikTok video of swimmer's near-death experience in Cape Town ocean garners 8.3M views, netizens left stressed

People

2 years ago

A swimmer fought nature’s might, narrowly surviving the Cape Town ocean. An adrenaline-pumping video garnering 8.3 million views sparks both awe and criticism.

McDonald's crush: Woman takes to TikTok with video of mystery hunk, South Africans have jokes

McDonald's crush: Woman takes to TikTok with video of mystery hunk, South Africans have jokes

Family and Relationships

2 years ago

A woman posted a video on TikTok of a man she finds attractive. The lady spotted the hunk in McDonald's and SA had a hilarious reaction to the post.

Cars, wine estates and safaris: A look at how Patrice Motsepe and 3 other SA billionaires spend their money

Cars, wine estates and safaris: A look at how Patrice Motsepe and 3 other SA billionaires spend their money

Feature

2 years ago

Koos Bekker, Nicky Oppenheimer, Johann Rupert and Patrice Motsepe are among the richest men in South Africa. We look at how these billionaires spend their money.

Springboks crowned RWC 2023 champions: Boks to lift Webb Ellis Cup after securing nail-biting win

Springboks crowned RWC 2023 champions: Boks to lift Webb Ellis Cup after securing nail-biting win

Rugby

2 years ago

The Springboks and All Blacks faced off against each other in the Rugby World Cup final for the Webb Ellis Cup and the historic title of most successful RWC team.

RWC 2023: A look at Siya Kolisi, Faf de Klerk and 3 other Springbok players' massive net worths

RWC 2023: A look at Siya Kolisi, Faf de Klerk and 3 other Springbok players' massive net worths

Feature

2 years ago

The Springboks' highest-paid players: Siya Kolisi, Faf de Klerk, Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and Handre Pollard - a look at their massive earnings.

Kaizer Motaung of Kaizer Chiefs vs Irvin Khoza of Orlando Pirates: A look at which PSL club boss earns more

Kaizer Motaung of Kaizer Chiefs vs Irvin Khoza of Orlando Pirates: A look at which PSL club boss earns more

Feature

2 years ago

Kaizer Motaung and Irvin Khoza are the bosses of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. Explore their careers, net worth and the iconic Soweto Derby they ignited.

Designing equality: Architect Nomalanga Mahlangu triumphs in a male-dominated industry

Designing equality: Architect Nomalanga Mahlangu triumphs in a male-dominated industry

Feature

2 years ago

Nomalanga Mahlangu is an architect who is breaking down barriers for women in the construction industry. She is using her success to inspire other black women.

Maryn Blignaut