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 Philip: Boris Johnson pays tribute to 'brave' Duke of Edinburgh

Prince Philip: Boris Johnson pays tribute to 'brave' Duke of Edinburgh

World

5 years ago

Powerpuff Girls: 1st Pics emerge from filming of famous show's reboot

Powerpuff Girls: 1st Pics emerge from filming of famous show's reboot

World

5 years ago

NeYo and wife Crystal Smith expecting 1st daughter together

NeYo and wife Crystal Smith expecting 1st daughter together

Entertainment

5 years ago

Wow: Shaquille O'neal pays for random fan's engagement ring

Wow: Shaquille O'neal pays for random fan's engagement ring

World

5 years ago

Haibo: Pageant turns chaotic after crown was snatched off winner's head

Haibo: Pageant turns chaotic after crown was snatched off winner's head

World

5 years ago

Ramaphosa calls for unity, says Mzansi would love a corruption free ANC

Breaking

Ramaphosa calls for unity, says Mzansi would love a corruption free ANC

South Africa

5 years ago

Forbes African Icons list: Trevor Noah, Connie Ferguson, other Saffas recognised

Forbes African Icons list: Trevor Noah, Connie Ferguson, other Saffas recognised

World

5 years ago

Trevor Noah, Nasty C and Connie Ferguson were amongst others who were recognised on the Forbes African Icons List. Briefly took a look at those who featured.

7 Richest women in the world 2021: Bezos' ex-wife is number 3

7 Richest women in the world 2021: Bezos' ex-wife is number 3

World

5 years ago

Jeff Bezos' ex-wife, MacKenzie Scott, made the list of top 7 richest women in the world. Number one on the list is Francoise Bettencourt Meyers ($73.6 billion).

Reactions as pretty lady attends divorce party, shares cool photo online

Reactions as pretty lady attends divorce party, shares cool photo online

World

5 years ago

A young lady recently attended a divorce party and decided to share a photo on social media. The post caused quite a stir on Twitter as many condemned divorce.

Flexible paper sculpture that can be stretched into shapes amazes people

Flexible paper sculpture that can be stretched into shapes amazes people

People

5 years ago

The video of a malleable paper sculpture has stirred massive reactions on social media with people wondering how the creator came about such an intricate design

Woman calls out baby daddy online, tells him to get DNA test

Woman calls out baby daddy online, tells him to get DNA test

People

5 years ago

A Nollywood actress called Shine Francis Odigie told her baby daddy to come and carry out a DNA test on their daughter if he doubts her paternity. Read more.

Kim Kardashian officially joins world's billionaires list for the 1st time

Kim Kardashian officially joins world's billionaires list for the 1st time

Entertainment

5 years ago

Kim Kardashian joined the list of World's Billionaires. Forbes said Kim is now worth R14.53bn ($1bn), up from her former net worth estimate of R11bn ($780m).

Woman celebrates being the 1st person in her mum's family to bag PhD

Woman celebrates being the 1st person in her mum's family to bag PhD

World

5 years ago

A woman named Tristen Johnson celebrated her achievement on social media after breaking record. She became the first woman in her mum's family to bag a PhD.

Heartwarming video shows dolphin playing ball with little boy

Heartwarming video shows dolphin playing ball with little boy

World

5 years ago

A little boy and a dolphin have been captured in a heartwarming video passing a ball to each other. The cute video was shared on LinkedIn by Jon Steinberg.

Meet the BSc student whose violin skills made him a viral sensation

Meet the BSc student whose violin skills made him a viral sensation

People

5 years ago

Maremo Seabela is one talented young man. Not only is he a BSc in Molecular and Life Sciences student but he is also a skilful violinist who's wowing SA online.

Maryn Blignaut