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

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

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

2 years ago

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

2 years ago

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

2 years ago

Hollywoodbets celebrates the Durban July with a R1 million Bonanza

Hollywoodbets celebrates the Durban July with a R1 million Bonanza

Feature

2 years ago

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

2 years ago

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

2 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

2 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.

‘Out Of This World’ theme for 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July revealed

‘Out Of This World’ theme for 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July revealed

Editorial

3 years ago

The theme for the 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July set to be run on 1 July, at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse has been proudly unveiled by Hollywoodbets.

Top 10 most valuable South African coins (with images and infographic)

Top 10 most valuable South African coins (with images and infographic)

Top Lists

3 years ago

Discover the most valuable South African coins. The post provides you with clear images for you to easily identify these old historic coins when you see them.

Woolworths vs Pick n Pay: A look at who is cheaper after viral TikTok video

Woolworths vs Pick n Pay: A look at who is cheaper after viral TikTok video

South Africa

3 years ago

A woman went viral after showing how much she bought for R2 100 at Woolies. Briefly News looked at the same items at Pick n Pay to see who is actually cheaper.

Local businesses in Mpumalanga get much needed support
through the Bambelela Business Awards

Local businesses in Mpumalanga get much needed support through the Bambelela Business Awards

Editorial

3 years ago

The event hosted by the Hollywood Foundation, through its Enterprise and Supplier Development programme, was attended by stakeholders in the business sector.

Side hustles in South Africa: Woman goes viral with businesses that cost less than R1 000 to start

Side hustles in South Africa: Woman goes viral with businesses that cost less than R1 000 to start

Feature

3 years ago

Side hustles are a fantastic way to supplement one's income during these trying economic times. Briefly News looks at some of the top small business ideas.

Meet Caster Semenya's wife, Violet Raseboya, and their 2 beautiful daughters

Meet Caster Semenya's wife, Violet Raseboya, and their 2 beautiful daughters

Family and Relationships

3 years ago

Caster Semenya and her wife have been together for over a decade & recently celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary. Briefly News looks at their relationship

Massive snakes fall through ceiling in viral video with 33.4 million views on TikTok, people horrified

Massive snakes fall through ceiling in viral video with 33.4 million views on TikTok, people horrified

World

3 years ago

A couple of men got more than what they bargained for when trying to remove a snake stuck in a ceiling. A video of it went viral and people were freaked out.

Maryn Blignaut