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

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

5 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

5 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

5 years ago

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

5 years ago

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

5 years ago

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

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

World

5 years ago

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

5 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

5 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

5 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

5 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

5 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.

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

5 years ago

Ivana Barley has earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Ashesi University. She graduated with a distinction from the private Ghanaian school. Read more.

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

5 years ago

The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate who is the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, was at the event to present the champion with her trophy.

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

5 years ago

Kenyan lady Bilha Ndirangu became the first Kenyan and also female to head the African Leadership Academy. Her success in management was considered integral.

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

5 years ago

A Nigerian man Chukwuma has showcased the power of social media as he shared how he got talking with an American lady on Facebook. Now, she is in the country.

Maryn Blignaut