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

Woman who started farm with parents' R380K pension fund now has R2.5M grant to grow poultry business

Woman who started farm with parents' R380K pension fund now has R2.5M grant to grow poultry business

Women Empowerment

3 years ago

Itu Khune and Sphelele Makhunga are couple goals: A look at the soccer star’s marriage and his famous exes

Itu Khune and Sphelele Makhunga are couple goals: A look at the soccer star’s marriage and his famous exes

Family and Relationships

3 years ago

Hamilton Naki went from gardener to skilled surgeon but did not get the recognition he deserved

Hamilton Naki went from gardener to skilled surgeon but did not get the recognition he deserved

Feature

3 years ago

Top 10 South African celebrity couples 2022: pictures and stories

Top 10 South African celebrity couples 2022: pictures and stories

Top Lists

3 years ago

Inspiring 58-year-old Overcomes Adversity and Graduates From NWU With BEd Degree

Inspiring 58-year-old Overcomes Adversity and Graduates From NWU With BEd Degree

Feature

3 years ago

Cassper Nyovest's net worth 2022, career, endorsements, and assets

Cassper Nyovest's net worth 2022, career, endorsements, and assets

Celebrity biographies

3 years ago

80+ stylish African traditional wedding dresses guaranteed to turn heads in 2022

80+ stylish African traditional wedding dresses guaranteed to turn heads in 2022

Fashion

3 years ago

TRADITIONAL WEDDING DRESSES from Africa are some of the most beautiful. They are made from unique fabric like Kente, Imishanana, lesos, chitenge, and more.

Top 17 hottest female DJs in South Africa 2022: Talented DJs from Mzansi

Top 17 hottest female DJs in South Africa 2022: Talented DJs from Mzansi

Top Lists

3 years ago

Who are the hottest FEMALE DJS IN SOUTH AFRICA in 2022? Read on to find out about the top ladies at the pinnacle of the South African entertainment industry.

Elon Musk might have a nett worth of R4 trillion but he doesn’t own residential property

Elon Musk might have a nett worth of R4 trillion but he doesn’t own residential property

Feature

3 years ago

Elon Musk is the richest man on earth but money and luxury were never his dream. He continues to work hard to achieve feats no one else has ever come close to.

List of the 10 best DJs in Africa 2022: bios, booking prices, net worth

List of the 10 best DJs in Africa 2022: bios, booking prices, net worth

Top Lists

3 years ago

Who are the BEST DJS IN AFRICA in 2022? Check out this article to discover who they are, and more about their careers, ages, net worth, and booking prices.

Patrice Motsepe's wife and 3 hunky sons: A look at the billionaire’s family on Father’s Day

Patrice Motsepe's wife and 3 hunky sons: A look at the billionaire’s family on Father’s Day

Feature

3 years ago

Patrice Motsepe is one of the most well-known billionaires in South Africa but his private life is often kept out of the spot light, including his three sons.

Dr Tshepo Motsepe: A look at the life of President Cyril Ramaphosa's wife

Dr Tshepo Motsepe: A look at the life of President Cyril Ramaphosa's wife

Feature

3 years ago

Dr Tshepo Motsepe is South Africa's first lady but she is much more than that. Briefly News takes a closer look at the medical doctor and businesswoman's life.

Youth Day: Throwback video of Tsietsi Mashinini moves Mzansi

Youth Day: Throwback video of Tsietsi Mashinini moves Mzansi

People

3 years ago

On 16 June, 1976, thousands of pupils marched in Soweto to protest the injustices of the Afrikaans Medium Decree. Briefly News celebrates them and their leader.

Young and stinking rich: 5 Entrepreneurs who prove making millions isn’t just for the madalas

Young and stinking rich: 5 Entrepreneurs who prove making millions isn’t just for the madalas

Feature

3 years ago

They are all under the age of 35 and every single one of them is loaded! Briefly News took a look at SA’s youngest millionaires in celebration of Youth Day.

Nozuko Mbalula: Meet Fikile Mbalula’s fiery wife, who stuck with him through a cheating scandal

Nozuko Mbalula: Meet Fikile Mbalula’s fiery wife, who stuck with him through a cheating scandal

Feature

3 years ago

Minister Fikile Mbalula is a firecracker politician who is often unpredictable. However, his missus reportedly knows how the handle him. Meet Nozuko Mbalula.

Maryn Blignaut