In 1955, the SWASB became a political party in its own right in 1955, when its members renamed it the South West African Progressive Association (SWAPA) and appointed Uatja Kaukuetu as its first chairman.
In 1955, the SWASB metamorphosed into an independent political party by changing its name to the South West African Progressive Association (SWAPA) with Uatja Kaukuetu serving as the inaugural chairman.