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

From Soweto to England: Law graduate lands amazing opportunity abroad

From Soweto to England: Law graduate lands amazing opportunity abroad

People

6 years ago

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

6 years ago

Andrew Mlangeni: Saffas & politicians mourn the last Rivonia Trialist

Andrew Mlangeni: Saffas & politicians mourn the last Rivonia Trialist

South Africa

6 years ago

Andrew Mlangeni: Last Rivonia Trialist passes away at age 95

Andrew Mlangeni: Last Rivonia Trialist passes away at age 95

South Africa

6 years ago

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

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

Entertainment

6 years ago

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

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

People

6 years ago

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

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

South Africa

6 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.

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

6 years ago

On Friday, Eskom announced the return of the dreaded load-shedding. South Africans immediately flooded social media with hilarious memes and comments about it.

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

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

People

6 years ago

Philip Dhlamini is proof that age is just a number and should not determine whether a person follows his or her dream. At 69, Dhlamini graduated with a degree.

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

6 years ago

An 18-year-old local woman has inspired many on social media when she revealed she runs two successful business and recently bought herself a piece of land.

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

6 years ago

A woman was left heartbroken after her niece passed away, allegedly from Covid-19. The lady then told parents to keep their kids at home and safe their lives.

Security guard who grew up in poverty graduates with national diploma

Security guard who grew up in poverty graduates with national diploma

People

6 years ago

From sharing food with siblings to struggling to land a job, Sthembiso Ndebele did not have it easy in life. However, through hard work he managed to succeed.

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

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

South Africa

6 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

6 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.

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

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

People

6 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.

Maryn Blignaut