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

Electrical engineer thanks mom who sold Tupperware to fund studies

South Africa

6 years ago

From Chevy to G-Wagon: Local man shows off how he ended 2019

South Africa

6 years ago

The EFF's Naledi Chirwa takes an emotional look back at 2019

South Africa

6 years ago

New Year's Eve: 5 Hilarious posts by Mzansi bidding farewell to 2019

People

6 years ago

SA recreates wife hiding under boyfriend's bed in #YolandaChallenge

People

6 years ago

Man finds wife hiding under boyfriend's bed and Mzansi loses it

People

6 years ago

Man working as picker uses R800 Christmas bonus to feed homeless

South Africa

6 years ago

A man, Gudlinkomo Belele Simelane, has inspired social media users when he vowed to use his Christmas bonus to buy food for poor people living on the streets in Newcastle.

Horrifying video shows moment child was snatched at local supermarket

South Africa

6 years ago

A video has gone viral on Mzansi social media showing a man snatching a child from a trolley in a Pick 'n Pay store in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal. Briefly took a look at the footage and some of the reactions it gathered.

Traffic cop photographed making road safe for motorists after storm

People

6 years ago

A traffic officer was caught on camera trying to clean a road after a heavy storm. The cop's dedication to make the road safe was applauded on social media.

Video shows local snake expert swimming with giant King Cobra

People

6 years ago

A local snake catcher, Dingo Dinkleman, shared a video of himself swimming with a giant King Cobra. Briefly.co.za took a look at some of the reactions the footage generated.

Cop brightens up motorists' day during load-shedding, video goes viral

South Africa

6 years ago

A video has been circulating online showing an enthusiastic police officer directing traffic because the robots were off due to load-shedding. The footage had Mzansi in stitches and we took a look at some of the reactions.

Local artist wows Mzansi with mesmerising portrait of Zozibini Tunzi

People

6 years ago

Meet Ennock Mlangeni, a young local artist who went viral on Mzansi social media after he posted snaps of the portrait he had done of Miss Universe 2019, Zozibini Tunzi.

Orlando Pirates sign Josef Zinnbauer as new head coach, SA reacts

Sports

6 years ago

The Orlando Pirates have revealed that the team finally secured a new head coach. The Bucs signed a three-year deal with Josef Zinnbauer. Rhulani will hold the fort until Zinnbauer arrives in SA.

Video shows Mercedes-Benz swept away by Centurion floods: "Speed boat"

South Africa

6 years ago

Heavy rains have caused chaos in Gauteng, with Centurion getting hit the hardest. Another video has since gone viral on social media showing an expensive Mercedes-Benz C-class getting swept away by the flood.

Heart-warming photo shows farmer buying groceries for his workers

People

6 years ago

A photo has surfaced online and it warmed Mzansi social media users' hearts. The image shows a farmer buying groceries for his workers. We took a look at some of the reactions to post generated.

Maryn Blignaut

Maryn Blignaut

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