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

Determined lady bags master's degree 2 years after her mom earned hers

Determined lady bags master's degree 2 years after her mom earned hers

World

5 years ago

Nigerian governor's son shares photo of dad's wives, praises polygamy

Nigerian governor's son shares photo of dad's wives, praises polygamy

People

5 years ago

Meet the woman who designed Roosevelt image on US coin without recognition

Meet the woman who designed Roosevelt image on US coin without recognition

People

5 years ago

Matric results 2020: Free State achieves highest pass rate, SA reacts

Matric results 2020: Free State achieves highest pass rate, SA reacts

Education

5 years ago

Government Unveils R255m State-of-the-Art School, SA Reacts to Pics

Government Unveils R255m State-of-the-Art School, SA Reacts to Pics

People

5 years ago

Katlego Maboe becomes a meme following infamous cheating video

Katlego Maboe becomes a meme following infamous cheating video

South Africa

5 years ago

Nurse sues Australian Woolies after slipping on a grape, Mzansi reacts

Nurse sues Australian Woolies after slipping on a grape, Mzansi reacts

People

5 years ago

A nurse is demanding R15 million from an Australian Woolworths store after slipping on a grape. South Africans found the news hilarious and reacted with memes.

Video shows men dancing with heads pressed together, SA can't deal

Video shows men dancing with heads pressed together, SA can't deal

People

5 years ago

A video was shared online showing men dancing while pressing their heads together. Saffas found the clip funny and they tried to name the odd new dance moves.

Man, 56, wins R32 million after accidentally buying an extra ticket

Man, 56, wins R32 million after accidentally buying an extra ticket

World

5 years ago

A 56-year-old man won a whopping R32 million in the lotto after accidentally buying the winning ticket twice. Samir Mazahem picked the five winning numbers.

Another video of men enjoying themselves without women goes viral

Another video of men enjoying themselves without women goes viral

South Africa

5 years ago

A clip has surfaced online showing a group of men dancing and having the time of their lives. South Africans pointed out there was not a single woman in sight.

Man posts snaps of mom on graduation, Mzansi doesn't believe him

Man posts snaps of mom on graduation, Mzansi doesn't believe him

South Africa

5 years ago

A man, who's known as @brykelbriza, wanted to celebrate his mom's graduation by applauding her online. However, tweeps could not believe how young she looks.

Principal pens sweet letter to girl whose BFF request was rejected

Principal pens sweet letter to girl whose BFF request was rejected

World

5 years ago

A principal learned a girl's heart was broken after she asked another pupil to be her friend & got rejected. So, the head master decided to write her a letter.

Man hilariously asks to be edited into pregnancy pic, SA can't deal

Man hilariously asks to be edited into pregnancy pic, SA can't deal

South Africa

5 years ago

A man approved popular Photoshop guru Lesedi and asked him to be edited into an image of a pregnant woman posing for a selfie. SA has since reacted to the post.

Kolisi Foundation raises money for paraplegic teen after gang violence

Kolisi Foundation raises money for paraplegic teen after gang violence

People

5 years ago

The Siya Kolisi Foundation is raising R51 000 to cover the cost of a side-lier and car positioner for a teenager who was left paraplegic due to gang violence.

Haibo: Bushiri's supporters use 'holy water' to get rid of Hawks

Haibo: Bushiri's supporters use 'holy water' to get rid of Hawks

South Africa

5 years ago

Shepherd Bushiri's supporters have shown up in numbers to support their 'Papa' after he and his wife got arrested. Some even tried to get rid of the Hawks.

Maryn Blignaut