Phila Dyantyi is a senior researcher in the HSRCâ??s Equitable Education and Economies division. He holds a Master of Arts in Sociology (cum laude) from Nelson Mandela University. Since the start of his HSRC tenure as an NRF intern in 2015, Phila has emerged as a young researcher in the HSRC working on several projects focusing mainly on the social dynamics of innovation and equitable rural socioeconomic transitions. Phila has a particular interest in the emancipatory theories of isidima -dignity and the agency of isintu/Nguni languages in how people define, promote, and protect their isidima (dignity).
Currently, Phila leads the HSRCâ??s work on Nurturing the Growth of ILED Communities of Practice pilot project. This work is a DSI initiative that seeks to support municipalities towards aspirations of the National Framework for Local Economic Development. This project aims to empower municipalities and LED stakeholders with the LIAT key information and decision platform to foster innovation-driven local economic development (ILED).
