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

1169 articles published since 30 Oct 2017

Author's articles

‘Out Of This World’ theme for 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July revealed

‘Out Of This World’ theme for 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July revealed

Editorial

3 years ago

Top 10 most valuable South African coins (with images and infographic)

Top 10 most valuable South African coins (with images and infographic)

Top Lists

3 years ago

Woolworths vs Pick n Pay: A look at who is cheaper after viral TikTok video

Woolworths vs Pick n Pay: A look at who is cheaper after viral TikTok video

South Africa

3 years ago

Local businesses in Mpumalanga get much needed support
through the Bambelela Business Awards

Local businesses in Mpumalanga get much needed support through the Bambelela Business Awards

Editorial

3 years ago

Side hustles in South Africa: Woman goes viral with businesses that cost less than R1 000 to start

Side hustles in South Africa: Woman goes viral with businesses that cost less than R1 000 to start

Feature

3 years ago

Meet Caster Semenya's wife, Violet Raseboya, and their 2 beautiful daughters

Meet Caster Semenya's wife, Violet Raseboya, and their 2 beautiful daughters

Family and Relationships

3 years ago

Massive snakes fall through ceiling in viral video with 33.4 million views on TikTok, people horrified

Massive snakes fall through ceiling in viral video with 33.4 million views on TikTok, people horrified

World

3 years ago

A couple of men got more than what they bargained for when trying to remove a snake stuck in a ceiling. A video of it went viral and people were freaked out.

Duduzane Zuma's love life: A look at his wife Shanice and his alleged ties to Thuli Phongolo and Tatum Keshwar

Duduzane Zuma's love life: A look at his wife Shanice and his alleged ties to Thuli Phongolo and Tatum Keshwar

Family and Relationships

3 years ago

Duduzane Zuma has been married for 8 years but no one ever sees or hears anything about his wife. Briefly News takes a look at his exes and missus, Shanice.

5 South Africans save a combined R186 000 in just a year: A look at their saving tips

5 South Africans save a combined R186 000 in just a year: A look at their saving tips

People

3 years ago

Five South Africans made serious bank last year by following simple money saving tips. Briefly News took a look at their brilliant foolproof ways to save cash.

Zenani Mandela-Dlamini: The royal life of Winnie and Nelson Mandela's daughter

Zenani Mandela-Dlamini: The royal life of Winnie and Nelson Mandela's daughter

People

3 years ago

On Friday, 4 February, Zenani Mandela-Dlamini turned 64-years-old. Briefly News took a look at the daughter of Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

TikTok video of white people dancing at the groove has Mzansi busting with laughter

TikTok video of white people dancing at the groove has Mzansi busting with laughter

People

3 years ago

A video has gained more than 639.8k views showing a group of white people enjoying the groove. TikTok users were amused by the clip and they shared their views.

Consumers can now purchase the premium HUAWEI Mate50 Pro in South African retail stores

Consumers can now purchase the premium HUAWEI Mate50 Pro in South African retail stores

Technology

3 years ago

The HUAWEI Mate50 Pro, with next-generation features, represents a new era for premium smartphones. The premium flagship phone comes with a stunning new design.

Hollywoodbets Super Subs: Sit back, relax and enjoy the game!

Hollywoodbets Super Subs: Sit back, relax and enjoy the game!

Football

3 years ago

Introducing Hollywoodbets Super Subs – where star substitutes get involved to take care of fans’ duties while they get to watch the game. Now, enjoy the game.

Amapiano lands in the Netherlands: Dutch DJ has people dancing to SA music abroad

Amapiano lands in the Netherlands: Dutch DJ has people dancing to SA music abroad

People

3 years ago

A Dutch DJ had local TikTok users both proud and protective of Amapiano. He played music from the hit SA genre in the Netherlands and people there loved it.

Matric results 2022: Mom buys car for daughter after she matriculates with distinctions, video shared on TikTok

Matric results 2022: Mom buys car for daughter after she matriculates with distinctions, video shared on TikTok

Family and Relationships

3 years ago

An 18-year-old girl got a new car from her mother after she matriculated with distinctions. The stunning young woman took to TikTok to show off her wheels.

Maryn Blignaut