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

Load-shedding is back and it is giving Mzansi serious chest pains

Load-shedding is back and it is giving Mzansi serious chest pains

South Africa

5 years ago

Meet Philip Dhlamini, 69, the pensioner who bagged his law degree

Meet Philip Dhlamini, 69, the pensioner who bagged his law degree

People

5 years ago

Young woman brags about buying land at the age of 18, inspires

Young woman brags about buying land at the age of 18, inspires

People

5 years ago

Woman urges parents keep kids at home after niece dies of coronavirus

Woman urges parents keep kids at home after niece dies of coronavirus

People

5 years ago

Halala: Young farmer pays off land, runs successful poultry farm

Halala: Young farmer pays off land, runs successful poultry farm

People

5 years ago

Security guard who grew up in poverty graduates with national diploma

Security guard who grew up in poverty graduates with national diploma

People

5 years ago

SA gets its first satanic church, which includes baptism and weddings

SA gets its first satanic church, which includes baptism and weddings

South Africa

5 years ago

The first satanic church has officially been opened in South Africa and the founder, Riaan Swiegelaar, opened up about the newest religious institute in SA.

Halala: Woman, 29, with no background in agriculture starts farming

Halala: Woman, 29, with no background in agriculture starts farming

People

5 years ago

A woman, Welile Gumede, has proven that anything is possible for those who work hard to succeed. She started farming without any background in the industry.

From petrol attendant to medical doctor, meet Ntando Makhubela

From petrol attendant to medical doctor, meet Ntando Makhubela

South Africa

5 years ago

A local man, Ntando Makhubela, has one of the most amazing grass to grace stories. He started out as a petrol attendant and now he is a medical doctor in Cuba.

Young architect builds mom a stunning house, photos wow Mzansi

Young architect builds mom a stunning house, photos wow Mzansi

World

5 years ago

A young architect, known only as @leoblackmann, gave his mother the most amazing gift. He built her a house and the photos have gone viral on social media.

Halala: Meet the entrepreneur whose company turns over millions a year

Halala: Meet the entrepreneur whose company turns over millions a year

People

5 years ago

Social media users were inspired by an entrepreneur who founded a company that makes millions each year. Briefly.co.za took a closer look at Tommy Makgatho.

Entrepreneur converts township home into booming restaurant, inspires

Entrepreneur converts township home into booming restaurant, inspires

People

5 years ago

Saffas have posted photos of Tloks Lepara, the inspiring man who opened a fast-food restaurant in a township and managed to turn it into a booming success.

Armed gang dressed in PPE gear targets KwaZulu-Natal pension pay point

Armed gang dressed in PPE gear targets KwaZulu-Natal pension pay point

People

5 years ago

An armed gang was caught on CCTV cameras robbing a pension pay point in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday. Taking to social media, Saffas reacted to the robbery.

Melania Trump's reaction to husband asking her to smile goes viral

Melania Trump's reaction to husband asking her to smile goes viral

People

5 years ago

Social media users were shocked over Melania Trump's reaction after her husband appeared to ask her to smile during a photo op and the moment went viral online.

Influencer Thickleeyonce lands gig with Rihanna's Savage x Fenty line

Influencer Thickleeyonce lands gig with Rihanna's Savage x Fenty line

People

5 years ago

Thickleeyonce took to social media to share some exciting news with her followers - her US agency managed to get her on the Savage x Fenty influencer list.

Maryn Blignaut