10 Interesting Facts About Scandal!’s Phillip Dikotla (Victor Padi)

10 Interesting Facts About Scandal!’s Phillip Dikotla (Victor Padi). He is one of the best actors slaying their TV roles at the moment. Phillip Dikotla however as done many things in the creative industry including comedy, producing and writing.

1. 35-year-old Phillip Dikotla is predominantly a theatre actor and stand-up comedian.

2. As young boy, Phillip states he was a “handful” until he joined the drama and debate clubs in high school, where he began to to shape his humour. Over time, he learned to channel the disruptive energy, which led to his first comedy routine.

3. His brand of comedy is fresh, woke-ish and intellectual-like. His narrative, edgy, self-depreciative humour, brilliant delivery, and performance of his story-like jokes, boldly favours authenticity over likability, and sets him apart from an array of rising comedians in South Africa.

4. The entrepreneurial talented creative took ownership of his comedy in 2016, when he produced his first one-man stand-up comedy production, Kulneck. In 2021, he founded Dikotla Originals, the company behind the establishment of the Big Comedy Live, a diverse comedy promotion brand and platform, producing his new shows, such as Phillip Dikotla LIVE (HERE) – a Christmas Holiday Special,.

5. Phillip’s multi-award winning play Skierlik has become a contemporary theatre classic, with recognition in South Africa and abroad.

6. Another one of his projects is STAGE TIME, a Stand-up comedy, a solo project he wrote and performed. The concept of STAGE TIME was inspired by the term “Stage Time” as used in the standup comedy community. It is normally associated with the process of a comedian’s growth that’s focused on trying new ideas, finding one’s creative voice, practice, and taking risks

7. Some of Phillip’s awards include the Olive Schreiner Award for Drama; Fleur du Cap Award for best performance in a one man show; Standard Ovation Award; Arts and Culture trust impact Award for theatre; Zabalaza Festival Best production; Cape Town Fringe Fresh Festival Award; and the Naledi Award for Best Community Theatre Production.

8. He was a featured comedian in the second season of SABC2’s comedy variety show Karektas and he was a writer on Comedy Central’s Roast of Khanyi Mbau.

9. In February 2025, he had a guest role on House of Zwide as Mjabuliseni, a man after Maria’s heart. He also made brief appearances on shows like 13 Weeks to Find Mr Right and Tshisa. 

10. Phillip currently slays his role as Victor Padi in Scandal!. Victor is a nerdy-yet-undeniably-handsome man. He’s a devoted father who never misses a chance to make his child feel loved. He’s naturally charming and approachable. In his work, however, his softer edges give way to a focused, meticulous side.