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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Fed-up man plants trees in potholes, forces municipality to fix them

Fed-up man plants trees in potholes, forces municipality to fix them

South Africa

5 years ago

A man, Rishi Pooran, has had it with the potholes in his neighbourhood. So, he decided to plant banana trees in them and it forced the municipality to act.

Clip shows school girl driving bus while driver drinks beer, SA reacts

Clip shows school girl driving bus while driver drinks beer, SA reacts

Education

5 years ago

A video has gone viral on social media for all the wrong reasons. A bus driver was seen giving the wheel to a high school girl while he stood and drank beer.

Hijacking gone wrong: Clip shows motorist shooting at thugs, SA reacts

Hijacking gone wrong: Clip shows motorist shooting at thugs, SA reacts

People

5 years ago

Three hijackers met their match when they attempted to steal a bakkie at a crime hotspot in Durban. The motorist was armed and opened fire on them, hitting one.

Schoolgirl escapes kidnappers by jumping out of moving car, SA reacts

Schoolgirl escapes kidnappers by jumping out of moving car, SA reacts

South Africa

5 years ago

A teen girl narrowly escaped kidnappers this week after she bravely jumped out of a moving car. South Africans have since called for human trafficking to fall.

South Africans flex their amazing village mansions, post photos online

South Africans flex their amazing village mansions, post photos online

World

5 years ago

Social media users shared photos of the houses that are being built in some of South Africa's rural areas and it left many speechless. We looked at the pics.

Woman lists her amazing academic achievements and Mzansi is proud

Woman lists her amazing academic achievements and Mzansi is proud

South Africa

5 years ago

A woman, Dr Thandiwe Buthelezi, inspired thousands online after she shared her amazing academic achievements. Briefly.co.za took a look at some of the comments.

SABC wants Netflix and DStv to collect TV licences, Mzansi reacts

SABC wants Netflix and DStv to collect TV licences, Mzansi reacts

People

5 years ago

SABC is desperately trying to generate money and now wants the government to enact rules that will compel DStv and Netflix to collect TV Licences on its behalf.

Maryn Blignaut