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

1169 articles published since 30 Oct 2017

Author's articles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Diversity drives innovation: Kgaugelo Lekalakala's vision for inclusive construction transformation

Diversity drives innovation: Kgaugelo Lekalakala's vision for inclusive construction transformation

Feature

2 years ago

Meet Kgaugelo Lekalakala, who's challenging gender norms in construction. From rural roots to architectural innovation, she's breaking barriers in the industry.

R1.1 million Mercedes and modern mansion: Itu Khune can live a life of luxury on his R480K a month salary

R1.1 million Mercedes and modern mansion: Itu Khune can live a life of luxury on his R480K a month salary

Feature

3 years ago

Itu Khune is one of the highest-paid football stars in SA and he bought himself a Mercedes Benz C43 AMG worth R1.1 million. A look at his luxury lifestyle.

From stocking material in Johannesburg to wowing Ford, SA designer mixes traditional outfits with streetwear

From stocking material in Johannesburg to wowing Ford, SA designer mixes traditional outfits with streetwear

People

3 years ago

Eugene Romano made PPE while studying at Tshwane North College before impressing Ford. He was awarded expensive sewing machines to further his fashion career.

A R22k single-room crib, R500k house that took 6 months to build, and 3 other homes flexed on TikTok and Twitter

A R22k single-room crib, R500k house that took 6 months to build, and 3 other homes flexed on TikTok and Twitter

Feature

3 years ago

TikTok and Twitter have become platforms where South Africans show off the homes they built. Briefly News looks at the houses and how much it cost building one.

Hollywoodbets celebrates the Durban July with a R1 million Bonanza

Hollywoodbets celebrates the Durban July with a R1 million Bonanza

Feature

3 years ago

The Hollywoodbets Durban July Bonanza comprising a host of prizes valued at over R1m has been launched and is giving away exclusive experiences, cash and a car.

Duduzane and Duduzile: How Jacob Zuma’s twins have taken over Mzansi

Duduzane and Duduzile: How Jacob Zuma’s twins have taken over Mzansi

People

3 years ago

Duduzane and Duduzile Zuma are two of Msholozi’s most famous children and Briefly took a look at how they shot to fame and what the future holds for the twins.

5 Photos of the day Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s president

5 Photos of the day Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s president

Feature

3 years ago

On this day, 10 May, Nelson Mandela was sworn in as South Africa's first democratic President at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Madiba succeeded F.W de Klerk.

Dr Nandipha Magudumana's cars and trips: A look at the luxury lifestyle she sacrificed for Thabo Bester

Dr Nandipha Magudumana's cars and trips: A look at the luxury lifestyle she sacrificed for Thabo Bester

Family and Relationships

3 years ago

Dr Nandipha Magudumana's relationship with Thabo Bester cost her a life of luxury. She sacrificed everything from trips to the United Emirates to Porsches.

Maryn Blignaut