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

1170 articles published since 30 Oct 2017

Author's articles

Man takes crate challenge to another level with bicycle, video goes viral

Man takes crate challenge to another level with bicycle, video goes viral

World

4 years ago

Newlywed couple sends R3.4k invoice to guests who failed to show up to wedding

Newlywed couple sends R3.4k invoice to guests who failed to show up to wedding

World

4 years ago

Gorgeous law student reaps bountiful maize harvest, shares cute photos

Gorgeous law student reaps bountiful maize harvest, shares cute photos

World

4 years ago

Emilio Flores Marquez: World's oldest man dies at age 113

Emilio Flores Marquez: World's oldest man dies at age 113

World

4 years ago

Tom Cruise loses luggage worth thousands after thieves stole bodyguard's BMW

Tom Cruise loses luggage worth thousands after thieves stole bodyguard's BMW

World

4 years ago

Man advertises himself for girlfriend online; monthly salary is R5 300

Man advertises himself for girlfriend online; monthly salary is R5 300

World

4 years ago

Batman actor Val Kilmer narrates struggle to eat, breathe after battle with cancer

Batman actor Val Kilmer narrates struggle to eat, breathe after battle with cancer

World

4 years ago

The star actor Val Kilmer is now in recovery after enduring painful chemotherapy treatments, radiation and a tracheotomy that permanently damaged his voice.

Lady becomes senior manager of big international company after waiting many years

Lady becomes senior manager of big international company after waiting many years

World

4 years ago

An inspiring young lady has become the manager of her company, a position she has hoped to achieve for years. Many congratulated her on the win on LinkedIn.

P Diddy claims Richard Mille watches are ugly despite owning 3, urges men to buy houses instead

P Diddy claims Richard Mille watches are ugly despite owning 3, urges men to buy houses instead

World

4 years ago

Rapper P Diddy might have some of the famous Richard Mille watches but still believes they are not as hot. In a clip, he advised people were to put their money.

Cute toddler imitates grandpa who uses stick, walks like old man in funny video

Cute toddler imitates grandpa who uses stick, walks like old man in funny video

World

4 years ago

A little kid got people on social media laughing after imitating her grandpa in an adorable video that has gone viral. She could be seen walking with a stick.

No to Ye: Kim Kardashian will not change last name like Kanye West

No to Ye: Kim Kardashian will not change last name like Kanye West

World

4 years ago

Kim Kardashian knows that all her children have West as their second name and hence she is not changing hers. However, she fully supports Kanye's decision.

Man, 29, thrilled as hair replacement system makes him look "10 years younger"

Man, 29, thrilled as hair replacement system makes him look "10 years younger"

World

4 years ago

A 29-year-old bald-headed driver identified as Adam Sinclair could be seen shedding tears of joy in a video after being fitted with a hair replacement system.

Visually impaired PhD student elected president of Oxford Africa Society

Visually impaired PhD student elected president of Oxford Africa Society

World

4 years ago

Ebenezer Azamati is a Ghanaian student studying for PhD at Oxford University. He has been elected as president of the Oxford Africa Society. He went viral 2020

Haibo: Lady spends R32.8k on cheek fillers to have the 'biggest cheeks'

Haibo: Lady spends R32.8k on cheek fillers to have the 'biggest cheeks'

World

4 years ago

Anastasiia Pokreshchuk spent over R32.8k on injecting fillers into her cheeks because she thought she looked ugly before. The lady now has the biggest cheeks.

New mum breaks down in tears as foundation clears hospital bill, emotional video touches hearts online

New mum breaks down in tears as foundation clears hospital bill, emotional video touches hearts online

World

4 years ago

A grateful woman simply identified as Bukola broke down in tears after receiving help of R18 000 from Givers Supportive Foundation to clear her hospital bill.

Maryn Blignaut