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'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

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

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

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

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

3 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

3 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

3 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.

Maryn Blignaut