While former President Sam Nujoma opted to bow out of active politics, the absence of another stalwart, Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, from the top 21 positions of the party came as a shock to many.

Newly elected Swapo Secretary General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana said Nujoma was no longer a member of either the Politburo or Central Committee because he was not elected.

"However, like any other member of the party, he will have the right to participate in the party's activities," she said.

Although the level of Nujoma's future participation is not clearly defined at this stage, Ithana said that would be a task for the new leadership under President Hifikepunye Pohamba.

"The party has a constitution.

It is not according to the wish of an individual," she said.

Her deputy, Nangolo Mbumba, said no provision was made to have Nujoma on the Politburo or Central Committee for now.

Toivo's name appeared on a fake list of 20 people claimed to be sympathetic to the newly formed Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP).

Although both Swapo and the RDP disowned and rejected the list as fake, Toivo failed to garner enough votes to make the top structure in the party he helped set up.

He had earlier denied any link to the RDP Many of the party members viewed Toivo's elimination as a slap in the face, saying some unruly members had blacklisted him because of the list and ensured that he stayed out of the Politburo.

Also appearing on that list was National Planning Commission Director General Helmut Angula and Agriculture Minister Dr Nickey Iyambo.

Neither made it into the Politburo this time around, as their appearance on the list apparently rankled some party loyalists who had voting rights at the congress.

Another long serving Politburo member, who did not make it this important organ is former Secretary General, Ngarikutuke Tjiriange.

Reports last week claimed that delegates were presented with list of blacklisted members for positions on the Central Committee.

Ithana said she had not seen such a list.

"What we knew is that each region had a list of four candidates for positions on the Central Committee and the regions campaigned for their candidates.

I really doubt (the existence of the) list," she told the media yesterday.

She described the congress as "very successful, peaceful, cordial and with a spirit of camaraderie".

According to her, Swapo was like a train passing through a station with some passengers getting off while others continued the journey.

"Some passengers have a short distance to travel.

The train can't stop because some people want to jump off while it has not reached the next station," Ithana said about the recent resignations of some of the party's leaders and members who joined the RDP.

"We will travel to the last stop.

We are determined to lead in unity and a spirit of comradeship.

Swapo had tough times in the past and we managed to pull through," she said.

While the likes of Toivo have bowed out, a number of new faces have been elected to the Politburo for the first time.

The group is headed by Dr Abraham Iyambo and includes Dr Albert Kawana, Dr Richard Kamwi, Petrus Iilonga and Alpheus !Naruseb.

Also in are old stalwarts like Immanuel Ngatjizeko, Erkki Nghimtina and Asser Kapere.

This was at the expense of Information Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Doreen Sioka and Hartmut Ruppel, who did not stand for re-election.

Sioka was co-opted by the Politburo to join in June this year to replace the expelled Jesaya Nyamu.

The Central Committee election also came up with a few surprises.

It was topped by Lands Minister Jerry Ekandjo, followed by the son of the founding President, Utoni Nujoma, Finance Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Speaker Theo-Ben Gurirab, former MP Ben Amathila and Dr Abraham Iyambo.

A new yet quite prominent member is Uusko Nghaamwa, who came in at number 20, while Works Minister Joel Kaapanda also scored high (12).

In the last Central Committee he was appointed by former party president Sam Nujoma as one of the six the party leader can name.

Swapo MP Royal /Ui/o/oo and Deputy Gender Equality Minister Angelika Muharukua were again wheelchaired into the Central Committee among the six nominated by President Pohamba.

They were joined by Hilka Leevi, Ida Hoffmann and Ministers Willem Konjore (Environment) and Charles Namoloh (Defence).

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