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

Kids, 3, battling cancer who met in hospital reunite for 1st time for playdate

Kids, 3, battling cancer who met in hospital reunite for 1st time for playdate

World

5 years ago

Kind man finds poor boy studying under streetlight at night and changes his life for good

Kind man finds poor boy studying under streetlight at night and changes his life for good

World

5 years ago

Enterprising clinical officer, 23, opens clothing company to increase her financial independence

Enterprising clinical officer, 23, opens clothing company to increase her financial independence

World

5 years ago

Young lady buys her 1st car, appreciates her employer for giving her a job

Young lady buys her 1st car, appreciates her employer for giving her a job

World

5 years ago

Barack Obams was gifted 1000 custom made masks for guests at his birthday bash

Barack Obams was gifted 1000 custom made masks for guests at his birthday bash

World

5 years ago

Jeff Bezos wants to build vehicle that can land on the moon

Jeff Bezos wants to build vehicle that can land on the moon

World

5 years ago

Young artist wows with stunning portraits showcasing SA’s daily struggles

Young artist wows with stunning portraits showcasing SA’s daily struggles

People

5 years ago

Thabo Modillane, 24, from rural village of Madombidza in Venda, inspires with his art. His portraits tell an important story about daily struggles in Mzansi.

Bride confidently raps during wedding reception as groom hypes her up

Bride confidently raps during wedding reception as groom hypes her up

World

5 years ago

Fati and Kingsley gave their guests a stunning rap performance at their wedding reception that impressed many. The two were praised by many who admired them.

Pastor lifts man, throws him into the congregation during deliverance in video

Pastor lifts man, throws him into the congregation during deliverance in video

World

5 years ago

Internet users reacted to a video from a deliverance session from a church. In the viral video, the pastor jerked a man and threw him into the congregation.

Beauty and brains: A look at the life of Shudufhadzo Musida

Beauty and brains: A look at the life of Shudufhadzo Musida

People

5 years ago

The current Miss South Africa, Shudufhadzo Musida, is an inspiring lady who is using her voice to empower other women in Mzansi and to advocate mental health.

Young man celebrates bagging PhD scholarship in the US, shares adorable photos

Young man celebrates bagging PhD scholarship in the US, shares adorable photos

World

5 years ago

A smart young man identified as Emmanuel Osuagwu has celebrated his achievement on social media after recently bagging a PhD scholarship in the United States.

Loving husband rents out movie theatre to play wife long-lost video of their wedding

Loving husband rents out movie theatre to play wife long-lost video of their wedding

World

5 years ago

According to Drew a friend of theirs hooked them up with the video of their wedding out of the blues just days before celebrating their 14th wedding anniversary

Plan B: Psychology graduate shows off her beauty store business with pride

Plan B: Psychology graduate shows off her beauty store business with pride

World

5 years ago

A stunning graduate has shown off her 'Plan B' on social media with joy. The first class graduate Esther now earns her living as a seller of beauty products.

Edith Murway-Traina: 100-year-old woman becomes the world's oldest powerlifter

Edith Murway-Traina: 100-year-old woman becomes the world's oldest powerlifter

World

5 years ago

Edith Murway has won two gold medals so far for the 60-pound bench press and the 130-pound deadlift categories respectively. through lifting weight. Read more.

Selfless woman offers to be surrogate mom for childless family

Selfless woman offers to be surrogate mom for childless family

World

5 years ago

A Kenyan lady has offered to help families struggling with infertility. The selfless lady Mugo is willing to be a surrogate mom to help a couple become parents.

Maryn Blignaut