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

Brilliant student graduates with distinction as she bags degree in mechanical engineering

Brilliant student graduates with distinction as she bags degree in mechanical engineering

World

4 years ago

Prince William steps out with wife days after she went into isolation over Covid-19 fears

Prince William steps out with wife days after she went into isolation over Covid-19 fears

World

4 years ago

Woman celebrates becoming 1st female to be appointed CEO of African leadership academy

Woman celebrates becoming 1st female to be appointed CEO of African leadership academy

World

4 years ago

Africa based man finally meets us lady he had been chatting with online since 2018; she had DMed him 1st

Africa based man finally meets us lady he had been chatting with online since 2018; she had DMed him 1st

World

4 years ago

Girl, 2, sings with angelic voice in cute video, many say she's perfect on the mic

Girl, 2, sings with angelic voice in cute video, many say she's perfect on the mic

World

4 years ago

Lady unintentionally recreates childhood graduation photo after passing law exams

Lady unintentionally recreates childhood graduation photo after passing law exams

World

4 years ago

Woman crawls on the floor to show baby how to come down stairs without fear, adorable video goes viral

Woman crawls on the floor to show baby how to come down stairs without fear, adorable video goes viral

World

4 years ago

A woman and a kid have given people much to talk about after they displayed how connected they are to each other. She showed him how to come down a staircase.

Talk show host Kelly Clarkson requests to be legally divorced from estranged hubby

Talk show host Kelly Clarkson requests to be legally divorced from estranged hubby

World

4 years ago

Talk show host Kelly Clarkson wants the court to officially declare her single despite ongoing divorce proceedings from her estranged hubby Brandon Blackstock.

Actress Scarlett Johansson expecting 1st child with husband Colin Jost

Actress Scarlett Johansson expecting 1st child with husband Colin Jost

World

4 years ago

Revered 36-year-old actress Scarlett Johansson is expecting her first child with hubby Colin Jost. However, it will not be the Avengers star's first pregnancy.

7 Hollywood celebs who decided against being parents, reasons behind their decisions

7 Hollywood celebs who decided against being parents, reasons behind their decisions

World

4 years ago

Having children is just not for everyone and some top celebs in Hollywood have chosen to never become parents. They also have reasons to support their decision.

Meet the genius who has won 8 scholarships worth R3.1m since secondary school

Meet the genius who has won 8 scholarships worth R3.1m since secondary school

World

4 years ago

While some students struggle to get scholarship awards to no success, it has been a smooth sail for a Nigerian man named Babajide Milton Macaulay who has won 8.

Baby gives beautiful performance of popular song, handles the mic like a pro in viral video

Baby gives beautiful performance of popular song, handles the mic like a pro in viral video

World

4 years ago

A baby got many people wowed as she gave a funny performance to One Direction's hit song. Despite mumbling for the most part, the kid infused so much energy.

Gwen Stefani, Hubby Blake Shelton finally share magical photos from their recent wedding

Gwen Stefani, Hubby Blake Shelton finally share magical photos from their recent wedding

World

4 years ago

Blake Shelton and singer Gwen Stefani finally tied the knot over the weekend and could not wait to share their wedding snaps. The two clearly had a blast..

Disabled teen, 13, whose mom carried her around finally gets a wheelchair

Disabled teen, 13, whose mom carried her around finally gets a wheelchair

South Africa

4 years ago

A 13-year-old local teen, Yamkela Mafiyane, is overcome with joy after finally receiving a wheelchair. She opened up to Briefly News about the amazing gift.

Boss catches cleaner taking selfie in his office, encourages him to follow dreams

Boss catches cleaner taking selfie in his office, encourages him to follow dreams

World

4 years ago

A Nigerian man known as Oluwanishola Akeju has inspired one of his staff, a cleaner, after he saw him taking selfies in his office during his working hours.

Maryn Blignaut