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

Rapper Cardi B reacts to backlash from mothers over WAP performance

Rapper Cardi B reacts to backlash from mothers over WAP performance

World

5 years ago

Justin Bieber's wife Hailey says they both wanted to get married young

Justin Bieber's wife Hailey says they both wanted to get married young

World

5 years ago

Artist paints 2 Grammy Award winners Wizkid and Burna Boy in viral video

Artist paints 2 Grammy Award winners Wizkid and Burna Boy in viral video

World

5 years ago

Kanye West reportedly becomes richest black man in US history

Kanye West reportedly becomes richest black man in US history

Entertainment

5 years ago

Female VP to take over as Tanzania's president following Magufuli's death

Female VP to take over as Tanzania's president following Magufuli's death

People

5 years ago

John Magufuli: Timeline of how president bulldozed Tanzania through a pandemic

John Magufuli: Timeline of how president bulldozed Tanzania through a pandemic

World

5 years ago

Joy as couple welcome set of twins after 18 years of marriage

Joy as couple welcome set of twins after 18 years of marriage

World

5 years ago

A Nigerian couple have become social media sensation after they announced the birth of a set of twins, this is after 18 years of marriage. Many were wowed.

John Pombe Magufuli: Early life of late Tanzanian President

John Pombe Magufuli: Early life of late Tanzanian President

People

5 years ago

Late Tanzanian president John Pombe Magufuli breathed his last on Wednesday, March 18 at Mzena State Hospital in Dar es Salaam. He died of heart complications.

Anele brags about being world famous after Trevor Noah's Grammy shoutout

Anele brags about being world famous after Trevor Noah's Grammy shoutout

South Africa

5 years ago

Trevor Noah mentioned his local friend, Anele Mdoda, while hosting one of the biggest awards shows in Hollywood and South Africans did not miss the moment.

Michelle Obama hopes Meghan Markle finds forgiveness and peace

Michelle Obama hopes Meghan Markle finds forgiveness and peace

People

5 years ago

Former US First Lady Michelle Obama has expressed her sympathy towards Meghan Markle and her husband Harry. She stated how the whole situation is unfortunate.

Transgender actor Elliot Page says he wanted to be a boy at aged 9

Transgender actor Elliot Page says he wanted to be a boy at aged 9

Entertainment

5 years ago

When star Elliot Page stepped into acting, the award-winning actor felt like he could not look at photos of himself whenever he stepped out in feminine clothes.

Heartbroken teacher asks support for pupil who sleeps on floor with grandma

Heartbroken teacher asks support for pupil who sleeps on floor with grandma

World

5 years ago

Maryann Achieng Odira, a teacher at Onganga Primary School always wondered why one of her learners was often late to class or would sometimes not go to school.

Finding love in Africa: US missionary marries taxi driver she met in church

Finding love in Africa: US missionary marries taxi driver she met in church

People

5 years ago

Albert's wife Carey knew he was the man God had kept for her and admired how hardworking he was so she let her guard down and allowed herself to fall in love.

Lady embarrasses bae on campus after he refused to accept pregnancy

Lady embarrasses bae on campus after he refused to accept pregnancy

People

5 years ago

A pregnant lady has caused a scene on the campus of the University of Ghana. In a video, the lady is seen accosting a young who is reported to be her boyfriend.

Lady looks for hubby online, only wants men from wealthy countries

Lady looks for hubby online, only wants men from wealthy countries

World

5 years ago

A lady has given specs on the kind of man she wants to marry. According to her, the interested person must be in a country where things are working better.

Maryn Blignaut