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

H10N3: Another terrible virus strain emerges as first case is recorded in China

H10N3: Another terrible virus strain emerges as first case is recorded in China

World

5 years ago

5 Things about the R378m Rolls Royce Boat Tail, the world’s most expensive car

5 Things about the R378m Rolls Royce Boat Tail, the world’s most expensive car

World

5 years ago

Man claims he cheated on his wife with over 1000 women and regrets it

Man claims he cheated on his wife with over 1000 women and regrets it

World

5 years ago

Sweet moment soldier proposes marriage to girlfriend at work, melts hearts online

Sweet moment soldier proposes marriage to girlfriend at work, melts hearts online

World

5 years ago

Young lady reunites with her childhood bestie after 16 years, photos go viral

Young lady reunites with her childhood bestie after 16 years, photos go viral

World

5 years ago

Traffic cop gets into motorist's car without permission, gets taught a lesson

Traffic cop gets into motorist's car without permission, gets taught a lesson

World

5 years ago

Cristiano Ronaldo set to launch new hotel in Madrid, gets shaded by Pepe

Cristiano Ronaldo set to launch new hotel in Madrid, gets shaded by Pepe

World

5 years ago

Cristiano Ronaldo is poised to open his latest hotel named Pestana CR7 Gran Via Madrid next week. This will be the forward's third after owning two in Portugal.

Toddler represents her culture well, sings song with sweet voice in video

Toddler represents her culture well, sings song with sweet voice in video

World

5 years ago

A little girl has become popular online after signing about her origin and how she is proud of it. Some Nigerians said she deserved many gifts for her act.

Teen spent 6 years digging underground cave after arguing with parents

Teen spent 6 years digging underground cave after arguing with parents

World

5 years ago

What started as 14-year-old Andres Canto's way to cool off after an argument with his parents became a 6-year-long digging project that has resulted in a cave.

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

5 years ago

A young lady, known as Funmilayo, had a breakthrough in her career as she became a data scientist with LinkedIn. Many people celebrated her latest achievement.

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

5 years ago

A lady made her dad shed tears uncontrollably as she stunned him with a car gift as he retired from work after 48 years of service. The video has warmed hearts.

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

5 years ago

A besieged father revealed on Reddit that he missed his biological daughter's wedding as a result of trying to combine hers and his stepdaughter's ceremony.

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

5 years ago

Seismologists in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Saturday, May 29, reported a total of 61 earthquakes in a single day around Mount Nyiragongo volcano.

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

5 years ago

In just eight months of her being on earth, Ed Sheeran's daughter Lyra is not a fan of her daddy's music. The singer says she "just cries" when it comes on.

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

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

World

5 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.

Maryn Blignaut