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

Meet the beautiful lady who became Africa's youngest lawmaker at 19

Meet the beautiful lady who became Africa's youngest lawmaker at 19

World

5 years ago

SA gifts R15k to humiliated petrol attendant, Nedbank vows to match it

SA gifts R15k to humiliated petrol attendant, Nedbank vows to match it

South Africa

5 years ago

Honest man, 81, who rejected R100 million bribe gets rewarded

Honest man, 81, who rejected R100 million bribe gets rewarded

World

5 years ago

Khitsane's sister celebrates her birthday: "Rakgadi of the nation"

Khitsane's sister celebrates her birthday: "Rakgadi of the nation"

People

5 years ago

Tobeka Madiba Zuma living her best life amid rumours of marital woes

Tobeka Madiba Zuma living her best life amid rumours of marital woes

People

5 years ago

Godfrey Baguma: Guy who won "Ugliest man" contest marries 3rd wife

Godfrey Baguma: Guy who won "Ugliest man" contest marries 3rd wife

World

5 years ago

Nothing damaged here: Stunning SA ladies rock their natural hair

Nothing damaged here: Stunning SA ladies rock their natural hair

People

5 years ago

SA women shared photos of their stunning natural hair under #Racismmustfall after Clicks labeled African hair as 'dry and damaged'. We looked at the photos.

Young geniuses: 2 Pupils to represent SA in Russia for maths Olympiad

Young geniuses: 2 Pupils to represent SA in Russia for maths Olympiad

South Africa

5 years ago

Two Gauteng pupils are among the six pupils who will represent South Africa at the 61st International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in Russia in October, 2020.

Rakgadi challenge: Whole trash can thrown at woman in funny video

Rakgadi challenge: Whole trash can thrown at woman in funny video

World

5 years ago

Saffas have taken on the #RakgadiChallenge after Lebogang Khitsane's sister spilled the tea at his memorial service. One woman's challenge had SA in stitches.

Comeback kid: Mokoena almost retired before Swallows opportunity

Comeback kid: Mokoena almost retired before Swallows opportunity

South Africa

5 years ago

Before he got the opportunity to show he still has what it takes at the Swallows, Lebohang 'Cheeseboy' Mokoena contemplated retiring from football altogether.

Andile Jali and his wife, Nonhle, still married but no longer together

Andile Jali and his wife, Nonhle, still married but no longer together

People

5 years ago

Andile Jali and his wife, Nonhle, are reportedly separated. The Mamelodi Sundowns' player revealed he and his missus are still married but no longer together.

Proudly South African: Local artist opens solo exhibition in Belgium

Proudly South African: Local artist opens solo exhibition in Belgium

South Africa

5 years ago

A local artist, Ennock Mlangeni, celebrated an amazing feat on social media. The young man revealed he opened a solo exhibition in Belgium and he made SA proud.

Stunning self-taught artist, 20, wows Mzansi with realistic paintings

Stunning self-taught artist, 20, wows Mzansi with realistic paintings

World

5 years ago

Sisanda Buthelezi is one talented young lady. The 20-year-old beauty manages to amaze South Africans with her art each time she posts a photo on social media.

Haibo: Man hitches a ride with money truck, Mzansi can't deal

Haibo: Man hitches a ride with money truck, Mzansi can't deal

South Africa

5 years ago

A video was shared on Facebook recently showing a man catching a ride with a cash van. The footage gathered thousands of views and left SA laughing out loud.

Eldorado Park: Clip shows cops & residents clashing following protests

Breaking

Eldorado Park: Clip shows cops & residents clashing following protests

People

5 years ago

Eldorado Park residents protested the death of Nathaniel Julius, who was allegedly shot by a police officers. Things quickly escalated when the cops arrived.

Maryn Blignaut