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

Teen raises over R538k for kids with cancer after shaving off huge afro

Teen raises over R538k for kids with cancer after shaving off huge afro

World

4 years ago

Meghan Markle, hubby Prince Harry reportedly working on Netflix show

Meghan Markle, hubby Prince Harry reportedly working on Netflix show

World

4 years ago

Meet Katlego: Young man inspires hope in his community, set tongues wagging

Meet Katlego: Young man inspires hope in his community, set tongues wagging

People

4 years ago

Rihanna reportedly renting out her beautiful Beverly Hills mansion for R1.1 million a month

Rihanna reportedly renting out her beautiful Beverly Hills mansion for R1.1 million a month

World

4 years ago

Emmanuel Kotia: Military man who gives to needy promoted major-general in army

Emmanuel Kotia: Military man who gives to needy promoted major-general in army

World

4 years ago

Billionaire businessman leaves earth, travels to space, will study environment before asking people to pay

Billionaire businessman leaves earth, travels to space, will study environment before asking people to pay

World

4 years ago

Emotional dad reunites with son who was snatched 24 years ago: "My baby"

Emotional dad reunites with son who was snatched 24 years ago: "My baby"

World

4 years ago

Guo Gangtang is emotional after reuniting with his son who was snatched 24 years ago. The son was kidnapped by human traffickers in front of their home aged 2.

Celebrating King Zwelithini on his birthday: A look at the life of the late Zulu King

Celebrating King Zwelithini on his birthday: A look at the life of the late Zulu King

People

4 years ago

King Goodwill Zwelithini would have celebrated his 73rd birthday on Wednesday. Briefly News decided to take a look back at the Zulu King’s life and his family.

Man, 30, climbs 2-storey building every night to watch over his dying mum

Man, 30, climbs 2-storey building every night to watch over his dying mum

World

4 years ago

A 30-year-old man Jihad climbed the two stories building of the hospital where his sick mum was kept just so he could watch over her as he was denied entrance.

Man buys Tesla car, expresses surprise as bonnet has no engine

Man buys Tesla car, expresses surprise as bonnet has no engine

World

4 years ago

A Nigerian gave a user-review of Tesla electric car after he bought one. He took his time to make a video as he showed people what the automobile looks like.

Man makes it rain on street, throws wads of cash for people, a masquerade joined in picking up the money in video

Man makes it rain on street, throws wads of cash for people, a masquerade joined in picking up the money in video

World

4 years ago

A man caused commotion on a street as he rained money in the air. There was a free-for-all struggle as people tried to gather the notes, including a masquerade.

Sound Sultan: Wyclef Jean mourns singer, shares old video with him

Sound Sultan: Wyclef Jean mourns singer, shares old video with him

World

4 years ago

Late Nigerian singer, Sound Sultan, has been mourned by Wyclef Jean on social media. The Haitian superstar took to Instagram noting that he lost a great brother

Jacob Zuma: The former president's road from Nkandla to Estcourt prison

Jacob Zuma: The former president's road from Nkandla to Estcourt prison

People

4 years ago

Jacob Zuma is one of the most controversial politicians in SA and his recent arrest sparked outrage amongst his followers. Briefly News looked at uBaba's life.

Zaila Avant-garde: Genius, 14, becomes 1st African-American to win National Spelling Bee in US

Zaila Avant-garde: Genius, 14, becomes 1st African-American to win National Spelling Bee in US

World

4 years ago

A 14-year-old from New Orleans, Louisiana, Zaila Avant-garde, has made history as the first African American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee in the US.

Video shows woman rolling on the floor and screaming in excitement as daughter arrives from us after 10 years

Video shows woman rolling on the floor and screaming in excitement as daughter arrives from us after 10 years

World

4 years ago

A video of a Nigerian mum has warmed hearts on social media in which the woman could be seen screaming and rolling on the floor after seeing her daughter again.

Maryn Blignaut