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

1170 articles published since 30 Oct 2017

Author's articles

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

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

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

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.

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

5 years ago

A cute two-year-old girl has wowed many social media users as she could be seen singing Oniduro Mi in a heartwarming video that was shared on a Facebook page.

Lady unintentionally recreates childhood graduation photo after passing law exams

Lady unintentionally recreates childhood graduation photo after passing law exams

World

5 years ago

Veronica Aina, a brilliant Law graduate shared a graduation photo she took and realized it was similar to her childhood photo 17 years back. Beautiful story.

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

5 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.

Maryn Blignaut