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

Pure fire: American singer Alicia Keys hypes Wizkid’s latest album

Pure fire: American singer Alicia Keys hypes Wizkid’s latest album

World

5 years ago

Funny moment baby chooses mum over dad in viral video as he crawls to her

Funny moment baby chooses mum over dad in viral video as he crawls to her

World

5 years ago

Viral video shows dad painting daughter's nails, her reaction is adorable

Viral video shows dad painting daughter's nails, her reaction is adorable

World

5 years ago

Dumpster baby: Man who was abandoned as a newborn now worth millions

Dumpster baby: Man who was abandoned as a newborn now worth millions

World

5 years ago

FIFA World Cup volunteer manager healed by TB Joshua shortly before his passing

FIFA World Cup volunteer manager healed by TB Joshua shortly before his passing

World

5 years ago

TB Joshua: Photos, video show mourners at Synagogue Church paying last respects

TB Joshua: Photos, video show mourners at Synagogue Church paying last respects

World

5 years ago

Young artist, 23, taught himself how to draw, makes a living selling portraits

Young artist, 23, taught himself how to draw, makes a living selling portraits

People

5 years ago

Pumlani Plaatjie creates stunning portraits of famous people. The self-taught artist makes a living by selling his art and he hopes to one day own a studio.

World Environment Day 2021: The generation that can make peace with nature

World Environment Day 2021: The generation that can make peace with nature

World

5 years ago

Saturday, 5 June, is the annual World Environment Day. The day aims to create awareness about issues and encourage action for the protection of our environment.

Sin can never take a man to hell - Preacher boldly proclaims, video causes stir

Sin can never take a man to hell - Preacher boldly proclaims, video causes stir

World

5 years ago

A preacher has claimed that sin can never take a man to hell. He emphasised that faith in Christ is freedom from sin. His video has ignited a stir online. Read.

Michelle Obama fondly praises Jill Biden on her birthday with sweet message

Michelle Obama fondly praises Jill Biden on her birthday with sweet message

World

5 years ago

First Lady Jill Biden's birthday could not be complete without good wishes from her loved ones and close friends such as former US First Lady Michelle Obama.

Kim Kardashian breaks down over failed marriage with Kanye West

Kim Kardashian breaks down over failed marriage with Kanye West

World

5 years ago

A penultimate episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashian saw mum of four, Kim Kardashian, weep over her failed marriage with Kanye West. Read more on Briefly.

Young boy packs, leaves home after dad told him to switch off PlayStation in hilarious clip

Young boy packs, leaves home after dad told him to switch off PlayStation in hilarious clip

World

5 years ago

This young kid was asked to turn off his PlayStation and instead, packed his bag and left home while claiming his dad had told him that he does not love him.

Family bond: Woman discloses she is carrying her twin sister's baby

Family bond: Woman discloses she is carrying her twin sister's baby

World

5 years ago

Identical twins Amy Fuggiti and Courtney Essenpreis from Chicago have shown their tight family bond after Courtney accepted to be a surrogate to Amy's baby.

Couple who started talking on Facebook DM get engaged after dating for 1 year

Couple who started talking on Facebook DM get engaged after dating for 1 year

World

5 years ago

A woman shared her love story began when she responded to her now fiancé's Facebook message, asking her to go out with him and a year later, he proposed to her.

Reactions as 26-year-old man steals 26 generators, photo goes viral

Reactions as 26-year-old man steals 26 generators, photo goes viral

World

5 years ago

A 26-year-old Nigerian man has been apprehended for stealing 26 generators. The suspect identified as Opeyemi Tosin was arrested alongside two other suspects.

Maryn Blignaut