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

Young lady who lost her parents while she was in school finally becomes a graduate

Young lady who lost her parents while she was in school finally becomes a graduate

World

5 years ago

Man makes beautiful motorbike and lion sculptures using chocolates, videos go viral

Man makes beautiful motorbike and lion sculptures using chocolates, videos go viral

World

5 years ago

Billionaire Michiel Le Roux ditched a career in law before founding Capitec

Billionaire Michiel Le Roux ditched a career in law before founding Capitec

People

5 years ago

Lady goes on knees to beg cop who arrested her boyfriend, turns out to be a proposal set-up

Lady goes on knees to beg cop who arrested her boyfriend, turns out to be a proposal set-up

World

5 years ago

Old Town Road singer Lil Nas poses in lady's strapless jumpsuit during photoshoot

Old Town Road singer Lil Nas poses in lady's strapless jumpsuit during photoshoot

World

5 years ago

Barefoot man gets attention during church service with his dance moves in video

Barefoot man gets attention during church service with his dance moves in video

World

5 years ago

Ne-Yo, wife Crystal Smith welcome baby girl: “My world is finally complete”

Ne-Yo, wife Crystal Smith welcome baby girl: “My world is finally complete”

World

5 years ago

Crystal Smith shared lovely messages on her Instagram to confirm the arrival of her and hubby Ne-Yo's first daughter, noting that she was born weeks early.

Athenkosi Quku: Meet the man who showers the homeless with blessings

Athenkosi Quku: Meet the man who showers the homeless with blessings

People

5 years ago

Athenkosi Quku is a young man with a heart of gold. He used his own money to start an NPO that benefits poor people who have been left with nowhere else to go.

Rihanna, boyfriend ASAP Rocky spotted displaying enviable PDA while on date night

Rihanna, boyfriend ASAP Rocky spotted displaying enviable PDA while on date night

World

5 years ago

ASAP Rocky and Rihanna were hanging out at a popular barcade in New York on date night. All eyes were on the two who were oblivious as they shared cute moments.

Jennifer Aniston says she and Brad Pitt are friends: "There’s no oddness"

Jennifer Aniston says she and Brad Pitt are friends: "There’s no oddness"

World

5 years ago

The actress, during a recent interview with members of the fourth estate noted that she has perfectly mastered the art of maintaining friendship with her ex.

Reality star Paris Hilton says she is more interested in having children than becoming a billionaire

Reality star Paris Hilton says she is more interested in having children than becoming a billionaire

World

5 years ago

Paris Hilton's revelations contradicted her earlier statement in which she categorically stated that she would not slow down until she became a billionaire.

Baby screams joyfully at beautiful chair gift, her expression in video goes viral

Baby screams joyfully at beautiful chair gift, her expression in video goes viral

World

5 years ago

The reaction of a baby when she saw the chair she was given has arguably got to be one of the best moments on Instagram. The kid jumped around in great delight.

Mom reveals she was meant to be a nun as her quadruplets celebrate 5th birthday

Mom reveals she was meant to be a nun as her quadruplets celebrate 5th birthday

World

5 years ago

Divinar Joseph's quadruplets Lara, Lyanna, Libby, and Lisa are celebrating their fifth birthday today, a stark contrast from the nun that she was meant to be.

Lady shows off great moves, her flexibility in viral video wows many

Lady shows off great moves, her flexibility in viral video wows many

World

5 years ago

A young lady's show of strength and flexibility as she danced to Mayorkun's Your Body got much praise on Instagram. Some people wanted her to teach them moves.

Lady celebrates as she gets job in top UK firm, pens sweet note, social media reacts

Lady celebrates as she gets job in top UK firm, pens sweet note, social media reacts

World

5 years ago

A young woman has taken to social media to celebrate securing a big job in the United Kingdom. The lady named Ifeoma Umeh penned a sweet note in the process.

Maryn Blignaut