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

Friends prank internet with bizarre relationship story, fool many

Friends prank internet with bizarre relationship story, fool many

World

5 years ago

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

5 years ago

Snoop Dogg shares amazing photo of himself babysitting youngest grandson

Snoop Dogg shares amazing photo of himself babysitting youngest grandson

World

5 years ago

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

5 years ago

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

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

World

5 years ago

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

5 years ago

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

5 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

5 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.

Lady, 27, narrates how her boyfriend married another woman & still dates her

Lady, 27, narrates how her boyfriend married another woman & still dates her

World

5 years ago

A 27-year-old Ghanaian lady who remains anonymous said that she is still dating her boyfriend after four years whilst he met and married another woman. See more

CNN journalist Van Jones Says Kim Kardashian will be an unbelievable great lawyer

CNN journalist Van Jones Says Kim Kardashian will be an unbelievable great lawyer

World

5 years ago

CNN reporter Van Jones gushed over his long time friend Kim Kardashian on TV and explained that she will be one of the best lawyers the world has ever seen.

My spiritual powers bring them back each time they run away, polygamist says

My spiritual powers bring them back each time they run away, polygamist says

World

5 years ago

A man who married 12 wives has stated that his goal is to marry up to 20 wives and as such has 8 more to go. According to him, he has a 'charm' that keeps them.

2 Boys break the internet with freestyle as they drop bars like famous rappers

2 Boys break the internet with freestyle as they drop bars like famous rappers

World

5 years ago

Two little boys have warmed hearts of many people on social media after a video of their freestyle was posted on Instagram by Nigerian artiste Tunde Ednut.

Young lady celebrates buying her first car with emotional message, inspires many

Young lady celebrates buying her first car with emotional message, inspires many

World

5 years ago

A young lady has celebrated buying her first car with a heart-touching message as she expressed shock over her achievement. Her reaction has caused huge stir.

Man set to "marry out" 10 of his children on same day, causes stir online

Man set to "marry out" 10 of his children on same day, causes stir online

World

5 years ago

A popular Islamic scholar, Sheykh Dr. Imam Goni Muhammad Ali Gabchiya, will hold wedding fatiha for ten of his children on the same day in Maiduguri, Borno.

Man shares sweet note he found in little daughter's school book about her dreams

Man shares sweet note he found in little daughter's school book about her dreams

World

5 years ago

A man Ron Malhotra has stunned the internet with an interesting note he found in the school book of his daughter in Nursery one about her future aspiration.

Maryn Blignaut