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

A R22k single-room crib, R500k house that took 6 months to build, and 3 other homes flexed on TikTok and Twitter

A R22k single-room crib, R500k house that took 6 months to build, and 3 other homes flexed on TikTok and Twitter

Feature

3 years ago

Hollywoodbets celebrates the Durban July with a R1 million Bonanza

Hollywoodbets celebrates the Durban July with a R1 million Bonanza

Feature

3 years ago

Duduzane and Duduzile: How Jacob Zuma’s twins have taken over Mzansi

Duduzane and Duduzile: How Jacob Zuma’s twins have taken over Mzansi

People

3 years ago

5 Photos of the day Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s president

5 Photos of the day Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s president

Feature

3 years ago

Dr Nandipha Magudumana's cars and trips: A look at the luxury lifestyle she sacrificed for Thabo Bester

Dr Nandipha Magudumana's cars and trips: A look at the luxury lifestyle she sacrificed for Thabo Bester

Family and Relationships

3 years ago

‘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

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

A woman went viral after showing how much she bought for R2 100 at Woolies. Briefly News looked at the same items at Pick n Pay to see who is actually cheaper.

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

The event hosted by the Hollywood Foundation, through its Enterprise and Supplier Development programme, was attended by stakeholders in the business sector.

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

Side hustles are a fantastic way to supplement one's income during these trying economic times. Briefly News looks at some of the top small business ideas.

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

Caster Semenya and her wife have been together for over a decade & recently celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary. Briefly News looks at their relationship

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.

Maryn Blignaut