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

Inside Coober Pedy, an incredible underground city in Australia

Inside Coober Pedy, an incredible underground city in Australia

World

4 years ago

Woman, 75, busts a move to popular Michael Jackson song, video goes viral

Woman, 75, busts a move to popular Michael Jackson song, video goes viral

World

4 years ago

Inside rapper Big Sean’s R176m dazzling mansion he shares with his mum

Inside rapper Big Sean’s R176m dazzling mansion he shares with his mum

World

4 years ago

Man builds his grave and monument, celebrates burial before his death

Man builds his grave and monument, celebrates burial before his death

World

4 years ago

TikTok meme sensation Khaby Lame gushes over bae: “Your smile is heartwarming”

TikTok meme sensation Khaby Lame gushes over bae: “Your smile is heartwarming”

World

4 years ago

Melinda Gates wants to leave children more than R140m inheritance quoted by Bill

Melinda Gates wants to leave children more than R140m inheritance quoted by Bill

World

4 years ago

Model Naomi Campbell welcomes first child at 50: "There's no greater love"

Model Naomi Campbell welcomes first child at 50: "There's no greater love"

World

4 years ago

Top international model Naomi Campbell has surprised many after disclosing that she is a new mom and welcomed a baby girl. She shared the happy news online.

Top 10 places for expatriates to live in 2021, South Africa out of it

Top 10 places for expatriates to live in 2021, South Africa out of it

Business and Economy

4 years ago

Taiwan has become the best place for expatriates to live, according to a survey conducted by Expat Insider. Mexico & Costa Rica took the second & 4th positions.

Leicester City apologises to Chelsea over Daniel Amartey's act of 'disrespect'

Leicester City apologises to Chelsea over Daniel Amartey's act of 'disrespect'

Sports

4 years ago

Black Stars player and Ghanaian international, Daniel Amartey, threw Chelsea's pennant on the floor after Leicester City won the FA Cup for the first time.

Usain Bolt pens lovely message to daughter Olympia on her first birthday

Usain Bolt pens lovely message to daughter Olympia on her first birthday

People

4 years ago

Eight-time Olympic medallist Usain Bolt celebrated the 1st birthday of his firstborn daughter Olympia Lightning Bolt with a lovely message on social media.

Girl, 17, found alive on boat wandering at sea for over three weeks

Girl, 17, found alive on boat wandering at sea for over three weeks

World

4 years ago

Help finally came the way of a teenage girl who had been at sea for over 21 days. She revived after 10 days and is one of the three persons to have survived.

Kevin Hart in stitches over 7-month-old daughter's reaction during video call

Kevin Hart in stitches over 7-month-old daughter's reaction during video call

Entertainment

4 years ago

Celebrated comedian Kevin Hart shared a screenshot of a video call between him and 7-month-old daughter Kaori Mai, showing her chubby cheeks and a blank stare.

A peek inside Benni McCarthy's life with his wife and kids: "My everything"

A peek inside Benni McCarthy's life with his wife and kids: "My everything"

South Africa

4 years ago

Benni McCarthy got a second chance at love and now he is married to the love of his life, Stacey Munroe. Briefly News takes a look at their sweet love story.

Meet the African-born genius and lead, 21, behind 'weird-looking' electric car in Turkey

Meet the African-born genius and lead, 21, behind 'weird-looking' electric car in Turkey

People

4 years ago

A young innovative man has been praised online owing to his engineering ingenuity. The genius led a team of engineers that designed an electric car in Turkey.

Grandma melts hearts online as she gifts granddaughter cash, many react

Grandma melts hearts online as she gifts granddaughter cash, many react

People

4 years ago

A granny has got people talking on social media after a photo of her giving her granddaughter money emerged. Many instantly fell in love with the cute photo.

Maryn Blignaut