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

Teen spent 6 years digging underground cave after arguing with parents

Teen spent 6 years digging underground cave after arguing with parents

World

4 years ago

I’m grateful: Lady gets a job as data scientist with Linkedin, shares new work photo

I’m grateful: Lady gets a job as data scientist with Linkedin, shares new work photo

World

4 years ago

Sweet moment daughter gifts dad a car gift after 48 years of service

Sweet moment daughter gifts dad a car gift after 48 years of service

World

4 years ago

Dad misses biological daughter's wedding while at step-daughter's ceremony

Dad misses biological daughter's wedding while at step-daughter's ceremony

World

4 years ago

DRC records 61 earthquakes in a day after volcanic eruption of Mount Nyiragongo

DRC records 61 earthquakes in a day after volcanic eruption of Mount Nyiragongo

World

4 years ago

Ed Sheeran says his young daughter cries when she hears his music playing

Ed Sheeran says his young daughter cries when she hears his music playing

World

4 years ago

Boris Johnson: England prime minister marries Carrie Symonds in secret wedding

Boris Johnson: England prime minister marries Carrie Symonds in secret wedding

World

4 years ago

England's Prime Minister Boris Johnson had a secret wedding to fiancee Carrie Symonds held at the Westminster Cathedral, officiated by Father Daniel Humphreys.

Friends prank internet with bizarre relationship story, fool many

Friends prank internet with bizarre relationship story, fool many

World

4 years ago

Two friends had the internet in a frenzy after saying they are dating despite being biological brother and sister. However, the story was only a prank. Whew!

Burglar lands in police net after pretending to be a ghost to rob houses

Burglar lands in police net after pretending to be a ghost to rob houses

World

4 years ago

A burglar has been apprehended for pretending to be a ghost to scare people and rob their houses. According to a report, he was arrested by police in Zimbabwe.

Snoop Dogg shares amazing photo of himself babysitting youngest grandson

Snoop Dogg shares amazing photo of himself babysitting youngest grandson

World

4 years ago

Young, Wild and Free singer Snoop Dogg shared a lovely of himself playing good grandpa to his youngest grandson Chateau Broadus, born on Wednesday, March 10.

Meet the lady who started flying aircraft at 17, became a qualified pilot at 18

Meet the lady who started flying aircraft at 17, became a qualified pilot at 18

World

4 years ago

Maira Bashir El-Kanemi began flying planes before she became an adult. The young woman has a big dream of captaining a commercial airline and is on course.

African-born professor appointed new dean of renowned University College London

African-born professor appointed new dean of renowned University College London

World

4 years ago

An African professor has recently being appointed Dean of the University College, London. He'd resume the role in August 2021. Buhari has reacted to the news.

Petty trader who wept after her fish was stolen gets help from Good Samaritans

Petty trader who wept after her fish was stolen gets help from Good Samaritans

World

4 years ago

A petty trader has received help from Good Samaritans after a thief stole her carton of fish. She was given some cash after a photo of her weeping went viral.

Dream come true for beggar as strangers donate to help him return to school

Dream come true for beggar as strangers donate to help him return to school

World

4 years ago

A street beggar has finally achieved his dreams of becoming a student as he was enrolled in school, thanks to contributions and support from people online.

Chris Hemsworth disappointed after son says he hopes to be Superman when older

Chris Hemsworth disappointed after son says he hopes to be Superman when older

World

4 years ago

Avengers actor Chris Hemsworth shared that he was disappointed after his son told him that he wants to be Superman when he grows up and not his character Thor.

Maryn Blignaut