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

Prince Charles and Harry reconnect at Philip's funeral after year of issues

Prince Charles and Harry reconnect at Philip's funeral after year of issues

World

5 years ago

Man, 81, inspires many as he runs 400m daily, adorable photos go viral

Man, 81, inspires many as he runs 400m daily, adorable photos go viral

People

5 years ago

Kind man feeds 150 people from top of a car, video goes viral

Kind man feeds 150 people from top of a car, video goes viral

World

5 years ago

Wesley Snipes speaks African language as he hangs out with Ben Murray-Bruce

Wesley Snipes speaks African language as he hangs out with Ben Murray-Bruce

World

5 years ago

Halala: Man who became lawyer in 2009 now lawmaker after 12 years

Halala: Man who became lawyer in 2009 now lawmaker after 12 years

World

5 years ago

Covid pandemic cuts down kasi hair salons: "Situation is quite bad"

Covid pandemic cuts down kasi hair salons: "Situation is quite bad"

South Africa

5 years ago

Tonye Irims nearly sold his business for nothing, now makes millions

Tonye Irims nearly sold his business for nothing, now makes millions

South Africa

5 years ago

Tonye Irims is no stranger to failure but he didn't allow mistakes to get in the way of success. Speaking to Briefly News, Tonye shared his incredible story.

Politician splashes R37k on viral amputee, photos stir massive reactions

Politician splashes R37k on viral amputee, photos stir massive reactions

People

5 years ago

Former Chief of Staff to Imo state government Uche Nwosu has earned the applause of social media users as he gifted the viral female amputee water seller R37k.

Amputee who sells water for a living shares her touching life story

Amputee who sells water for a living shares her touching life story

People

5 years ago

Amputee Mary Daniel Onu who had gone viral for hawking water on Lagos road has revealed that she survived an accident that claimed the life of everyone else.

Young woman who paints cars reveals challenges she faced from men

Young woman who paints cars reveals challenges she faced from men

World

5 years ago

Modupe Olagunju, a young woman who paints for a living in Ibadan, Oyo state, has narrated what she experienced on her way to success in a male-dominated field.

Kindhearted man feeds elderly couples and widowed mothers, many hail him

Kindhearted man feeds elderly couples and widowed mothers, many hail him

World

5 years ago

A documentary photographer in Bangladesh, GMB Akash, has been hailed on social media after distributing food items to neglected elderly couples and widows.

Birthday party causes stir online as people flood dance floor with dollar bills

Birthday party causes stir online as people flood dance floor with dollar bills

World

5 years ago

Some party animals made it rain dollars at a recent birthday bash in Atlanta. However, Instagram users online have expressed worry on behalf of the individuals.

Beautiful prison that has studio, dryer, washing machine, sitting room stuns many

Beautiful prison that has studio, dryer, washing machine, sitting room stuns many

People

5 years ago

A clip capturing the inside of a prison that has a wardrobe, nice sitting room, television set, studio and other top-notch home facilities has caused huge stir.

“Greener” UN treaty could help promote socio-economic rights, says LLD graduate

“Greener” UN treaty could help promote socio-economic rights, says LLD graduate

World

5 years ago

Environmental law and human rights expert Dr Megan Donald detailed the importance of an "greener” UN treaty, which could help promote socio-economic rights.

Man proposes to lover with 5 engagement rings, lets her choose the best

Man proposes to lover with 5 engagement rings, lets her choose the best

People

5 years ago

A man, Will - who goes by @ichillwillfixit, from Atlanta, Georgia, went down on one knee at the top of a building and flashed our a ring holder with five rings.

Maryn Blignaut