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

Lady working as a cleaner proudly shares pic of uniform, inspires many

Lady working as a cleaner proudly shares pic of uniform, inspires many

World

4 years ago

Students finally graduate after year delay, dance to 'Jerusalema'

Students finally graduate after year delay, dance to 'Jerusalema'

People

4 years ago

Woman finally gives birth after 18 years of waiting, many react

Woman finally gives birth after 18 years of waiting, many react

World

4 years ago

Stunning couple's glow up from 'poor' to fabulous wows the internet

Stunning couple's glow up from 'poor' to fabulous wows the internet

World

4 years ago

Woman who didn't know she was pregnant gives birth on a flight

Woman who didn't know she was pregnant gives birth on a flight

People

4 years ago

Bill Gates, wife Melinda announce they're getting divorced after 27 years

Bill Gates, wife Melinda announce they're getting divorced after 27 years

People

4 years ago

2 Intruders arrested for scaling wall at Queen Elizabeth’s Windsor estate

2 Intruders arrested for scaling wall at Queen Elizabeth’s Windsor estate

World

4 years ago

Two intruders broke into Queen Elizabeth II's Windsor estate in what has been termed a security scare. This is also the second safety breach in just a few days.

Lost and found cat: Family reunites with missing cat after 13 years

Lost and found cat: Family reunites with missing cat after 13 years

World

4 years ago

Gemma Barbieri from Norfolk was emotional after receiving a call from the Cats Protection Downham Market Adoption Centre informing her about her missing cat.

Mzansi entrepreneurs: Side hustling is the new norm in South Africa

Mzansi entrepreneurs: Side hustling is the new norm in South Africa

South Africa

4 years ago

The pandemic has caused many people to lose their income or part of it. This has led to South Africans finding alternative ways to generate money every month.

Physically challenged man hailed online for enrolling orphan in school

Physically challenged man hailed online for enrolling orphan in school

World

4 years ago

A kindhearted physically challenged man, who was identified as Michael Showunmi, has been celebrated on Twitter for enrolling a schoolgirl in a catering centre.

Jose Mourinho lands 2 big jobs few weeks after being sacked at Tottenham

Jose Mourinho lands 2 big jobs few weeks after being sacked at Tottenham

World

4 years ago

Jose Mourinho is so sought after that the Portuguese has landed two big jobs barely two weeks after losing his head coach role at Tottenham earlier this month.

Lady buys house, renovates it to suit her taste, shares interior pics

Lady buys house, renovates it to suit her taste, shares interior pics

People

4 years ago

A lady's renovation of her house has got social media users applauding her for a job well done. People said they cannot believe how new the whole house looks.

Futuristic Mercedes-Benz ride that would give Elon Musk's Tesla a run

Futuristic Mercedes-Benz ride that would give Elon Musk's Tesla a run

World

4 years ago

Adorable photos of a luxury Mercedes-Benz GT concept has got people on social media talking after it was shared on LinkedIn by a user identified as Mr Benz.

Funny moment girl gives catholic priest high-five during prayer session

Funny moment girl gives catholic priest high-five during prayer session

World

4 years ago

A funny video of a little kid high-fiving a priest as he was praying for her has got people reeling with laughter on social media. Many said kids are cute.

T-Pain just discovered Instagram DM request folder, celebs snubbed for years

T-Pain just discovered Instagram DM request folder, celebs snubbed for years

World

4 years ago

American rapper T-Pain recently shared a video showing his ignored messages on Instagram. The rapper said he had no idea that there was a DM request folder.

Maryn Blignaut