Cath Moulogo is joined by Wahura Kabutha, the Communications Officer at the Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel, a partner organisation of Hub Cymru Africa's.

In this episode, Wahura interviews Vaughan Gething MS, Minister for Economy in the Welsh Government and Labour & Co-operative Member of the Senedd for Cardiff South and Penarth. They discuss his upbringing, his work in politics and the skills needed to be a Minister, which were tested to the full during the Covid-19 Pandemic when he became a familiar face and voice in Wales as Minister for Health and Social Services.

Vaughan Gething MS

Vaughan was born in Zambia and brought up in Dorset. He was educated at Aberystwyth and Cardiff universities. He has one son with his wife, Michelle and is a largely retired cricketer who is also a fan of both rugby and football.

Vaughan was a solicitor and former partner at Thompsons. He is a member of the GMB, UNISON and Unite unions, and was the youngest ever President of the Wales TUC. He has previously served as a county councillor, school governor and community service volunteer – supporting and caring for a student with cerebral palsy. Vaughan is also a former president of NUS Wales.

Between 1999 and 2001, Vaughan worked as a researcher to former AMs Val Feld and Lorraine Barrett and between 2001 and 2003, was the chair of Right to Vote – a cross-party project to encourage greater participation from black minority ethnic communities in Welsh public life. He is also a current member of the Co-operative Party.

Vaughan has held the following roles in government, before taking up his current role as Minister for the Economy in May 2021:

• Cabinet Secretary/Minister for Health and Social Services May 2016 to May 2021
• Deputy Minister for Health September 2014 to May 2016
• Deputy Minister for Tackling Poverty June 2013 to September 2014

Wahura Kabutha

Wahura is a PhD researcher at Cardiff university specialising in consumer behaviour and digital marketing. She has experience in an array of industries such as entertainment, charities and sales. She is passionate about empowering minority communities. Wahura manages the communication channels for Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel and maximises the visibility of campaigns and projects. Her hobbies include travelling, meditating and creating content.

This is part of the Hub Cymru Africa podcast series that are being recorded with support from the Welsh Government and the FCDO Small Charities Challenge Fund.

Hub Cymru Africa: hubcymruafrica.wales

Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel: ssap.org.uk

SSAP Youth Leadership Network: ssap.org.uk/pages/about