Songo Benya

Songo holds a BSocSci in Political Science and Sociology from the University of the Free State, an Honours degree in Sociology and a master's degree in Climate Change and Sustainable Development from the University of Cape Town. Her current work focuses on climate adaptation, governance and assessing adaptation progress. Her master’s research explored how rural coastal communities along South Africa’s Wild Coast understand climate-related risks and adapt their land- and marine-based livelihoods, with a particular focus on gendered experiences.

Songo's broader interests encompass gender, environmental, social, land, water and food justice. She is particularly interested in how marginalised communities, especially working-class women, navigate environmental change, organise collectively and build movements for alternatives to address ecological crises. Her work is grounded in a commitment to equity and participation, connecting research with practice to support climate responses that reflect the lived realities and priorities of those most affected.