Windhoek — The Swapo Party Politburo has elected five new members with six old members failing to gain sufficient votes to make it into the new 21-member executive of the party, at the Central Committee meeting that took place at the Parliament Caucus room late on Tuesday.

Among the new members is newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who came second in the elections with 48 votes, behind new Defence Minister Nahas Angula who scored 50 votes.

Others are the Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development Charles Namoloh, Minister of Veterans Affairs, Nickey Iyambo, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, John Mutorwa, and Hardap Regional Governor Katrina Hanse-Himarwa.

Swapo Party president Hifikepunye Pohamba, vice president Hage Geingob, as well as Swapo secretary general Nangolo Mbumba and deputy secretary general Laura-McLeod-Katjirua did not need to be voted for since they qualify by virtue of the positions they hold.

Long-serving Swapo Party member, Helmut Angula, was among those who did not make it, along with the Deputy Minister of Defence, Petrus Iilonga, Minister of Education Dr Abraham Iyambo, Minister of Health and Social Services Richard Kamwi, Minister of Finance Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and the Minister of Justice, Utoni Nujoma.

The Politburo manages the day-to-day affairs of the party whereas the Central Committee is the highest decision-making organ of the party in between congresses that take place every five years.

Mbumba said on Wednesday newly elected members are acquainted with the history of the party and can meet anytime to discuss party issues.

The list of the new Politburo members and the number of votes they scored are as follows:

1. Nahas Angula (50)

2. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (48)

3. Ben Amadhila (44)

4. Marco Hausiku (44)

5. Libertina Amadhila (43)

6. Charles Namoloh (42)

7. Theo-Ben Gurirab (38)

8. Nickey Iyambo (38)

9. Jerry Ekandjo (37)

10. Immanuel Ngatjizeko (37)

11. Katrina Hanse-Himarwa (36)

12. Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana (36)

13. Alfeus !Naruseb (36)

14. Erkki Nghimtina (36)

15. John Mutorwa (34)

16. Albert Kawana (33)

17. Asser Kapere (32)