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

Jennifer Lopez's ex A-Rod in disbelief over her alleged affair with Ben Affleck

Jennifer Lopez's ex A-Rod in disbelief over her alleged affair with Ben Affleck

World

5 years ago

Courtney Rogers: Woman, 36, who's been married 10 years, given birth to 11 kids

Courtney Rogers: Woman, 36, who's been married 10 years, given birth to 11 kids

People

5 years ago

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams gets engaged to co-actress' ex-hubby

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams gets engaged to co-actress' ex-hubby

World

5 years ago

Soldiers fly in the air with amazing tech jet suit, video goes viral

Soldiers fly in the air with amazing tech jet suit, video goes viral

People

5 years ago

Young man finishes university with perfect scores, inspires many

Young man finishes university with perfect scores, inspires many

World

5 years ago

Proud man lets mom wear his graduation gown as he bags law degree

Proud man lets mom wear his graduation gown as he bags law degree

People

5 years ago

Zimbabwean football star who coached for SA, Butler Masango, passes away

Zimbabwean football star who coached for SA, Butler Masango, passes away

World

5 years ago

Another football legend dies after the passing of former Zimbabwe star Butler Masango. He was said to have battled with heart complications before his death.

Young man celebrates graduation at father's grave: "Thank you papa"

Young man celebrates graduation at father's grave: "Thank you papa"

People

5 years ago

Zambian Chama Kings Mwansa is set to graduate soon. Nothing would have been more prudent for him than going to his late father's grave to share the good news.

For all moms: Google celebrates Mother's Day 2021 with new doodle

For all moms: Google celebrates Mother's Day 2021 with new doodle

People

5 years ago

Google is marking Mothers' day 2021 with a colourful interactive doodle on which users can click and send a card to their moms. It was created by Olivia When.

Barack Obama, family mourn death of beloved dog: "Lost a true friend"

Barack Obama, family mourn death of beloved dog: "Lost a true friend"

People

5 years ago

Bo succumbed to cancer on May 8, aged 12 years. Michelle Obama said their family had lost a best friend who happened to be the family's source of happiness.

Mother's Day: Woman celebrates motherhood after giving birth while in coma

Mother's Day: Woman celebrates motherhood after giving birth while in coma

South Africa

5 years ago

For several months, then 28-year-old Serena Torres was admitted at the Westchester Medical Center after contracting Covid-19 while pregnant with her daughter.

Boy, 4, mistakenly buys R36k worth of ice cream with his mom’s credit card

Boy, 4, mistakenly buys R36k worth of ice cream with his mom’s credit card

World

5 years ago

A kid put his mother in trouble as he purchased 51 cases of popsicles which were worth $2618.85 from Amazon with his mum's credit card. People helped them.

Man converts coconut shells into cups and spoons, photos go viral

Man converts coconut shells into cups and spoons, photos go viral

World

5 years ago

A young creative man has impressed a lot of people on social media with the way he turned coconuts shells into very useful items that are needed in every home.

Twins mark their birthday with pretty photoshoot, share throwback pics

Twins mark their birthday with pretty photoshoot, share throwback pics

World

5 years ago

Stunning twins received much love on social media after celebrating their birthday with a throwback photo taken 10 years ago. Some said they want to marry them.

Teacher sews free uniforms for all needy pupils in community

Teacher sews free uniforms for all needy pupils in community

World

5 years ago

Janet Asibi, a young national service (NSS) personnel is sewing for pupils in her school and locality for free. She does it with her own money at Bono Region.

Maryn Blignaut