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

Honest man returns R9 000 that was accidentally paid into his account

Honest man returns R9 000 that was accidentally paid into his account

South Africa

5 years ago

Scorned woman vandalises cheating bae's luxurious BMW, SA reacts

Scorned woman vandalises cheating bae's luxurious BMW, SA reacts

South Africa

5 years ago

Despite being the world's richest people, they wear cheap watches

Despite being the world's richest people, they wear cheap watches

World

5 years ago

Young South African entrepreneur develops his own smartphone

Young South African entrepreneur develops his own smartphone

South Africa

5 years ago

Video shows couple dancing to Jerusalema at their wedding in Spain

Video shows couple dancing to Jerusalema at their wedding in Spain

South Africa

5 years ago

Kanye apologises to wife Kim Kardashian for embarrassing her online

Kanye apologises to wife Kim Kardashian for embarrassing her online

World

5 years ago

Malcolm and mam Thembi celebrate 1 million likes with hilarious video

Malcolm and mam Thembi celebrate 1 million likes with hilarious video

South Africa

5 years ago

Social media superstars Malcolm Wentzel and his employee Thembi celebrated one million Tik Tok likes with a hilarious video and South Africans just loved it.

From Soweto to England: Law graduate lands amazing opportunity abroad

From Soweto to England: Law graduate lands amazing opportunity abroad

People

5 years ago

Meet the inspiring Thato Lentsoe, a Master's in law graduate who has the opportunity to study international law at Lancaster University in the United Kingdom.

Dad goals: Video of Siya Kolisi dancing with daughter is a mood

Dad goals: Video of Siya Kolisi dancing with daughter is a mood

South Africa

5 years ago

Siya Kolisi posted an adorable video on his Instagram page on Friday. The Springboks captain was filmed showing off his dance moves with his young daughter.

Andrew Mlangeni: Saffas & politicians mourn the last Rivonia Trialist

Andrew Mlangeni: Saffas & politicians mourn the last Rivonia Trialist

South Africa

5 years ago

South African politicians and citizens flooded social media on Wednesday to pay their respects following the tragic and sudden death of Andrew Mlangeni, 95.

Andrew Mlangeni: Last Rivonia Trialist passes away at age 95

Andrew Mlangeni: Last Rivonia Trialist passes away at age 95

South Africa

5 years ago

Andrew Mlangeni has sadly passed away at the age of 95. He was the last surviving Rivoni Trialist. Mlangeni died shortly after being admitted to a hospital.

First France, now Romania: Master KG's Jerusalema danced abroad

First France, now Romania: Master KG's Jerusalema danced abroad

Entertainment

5 years ago

A video has gone viral on Facebook showing people dancing to Master KG's hit song 'Jerusalema' in Romania. Briefly looked at the reactions the clip generated.

Viral video shows people in France dancing the Jerusalema dance

Viral video shows people in France dancing the Jerusalema dance

South Africa

5 years ago

A video has resurfaced on social media showing people in France doing the local hit Jerusalema dance during lockdown. The viral clip had South Africans proud.

Only in Mzansi: Man 'paddbleboards' in flooded informal settlement

Only in Mzansi: Man 'paddbleboards' in flooded informal settlement

People

5 years ago

A man was filmed making the most of the severe weather conditions in South Africa this week. He was filmed 'paddleboarding' in a flooded informal settlement.

Zindzi Mandela: 5 Facts about the late SA Ambassador to Denmark

Zindzi Mandela: 5 Facts about the late SA Ambassador to Denmark

South Africa

5 years ago

On Monday, South Africans received the heartbreaking news of Zindzi Mandela's passing. In honour of Zindzi, Briefly took a look at five facts about her life.

Maryn Blignaut