For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: Covid-19 loan guarantee scheme extended by 3 months, ANCYL task team declares itself ‘a unifying structure’ in the ruling party and, Tanzania opposition calls for new constitution, faster Covid-19 research

Covid-19 loan guarantee scheme extended by 3 months

The Covid-19 loan guarantee scheme will be extended by three months.

The scheme was launched as part of government's R500-billion stimulus package to support the economy given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is based on a partnership between National Treasury, the Reserve Bank and the Banking Association of South Africa.

The period for which businesses could draw down loans was to end on April 11, for most participating banks.

ANCYL task team declares itself ‘a unifying structure’ in the ruling party

The newly formed African National Congress Youth League National Youth Task Team has declared itself “a unifying structure during a time of gravely factional political dynamics” within the mass democratic movement.

Addressing the media following its meeting with the outgoing members of the ANCYL, the 34 member team also met with the top ANC leaders.

The group appointed Mlondolozi Mkhize as the National Organiser, Sizophila Mkhize as the National Spokesperson and Thuthukile Zuma as the National Fundraiser.

The ANCYL NYTT said it did not take lightly its responsibility to revive, reimagine and reposition the ANCYL with the primary task of taking it to a credible national conference.

Tanzania opposition calls for new constitution, faster Covid-19 research

Tanzanian opposition leader Freeman Mbowe called for the new government to prioritise a new constitution, reviving calls for limiting presidential powers.

Mbowe, chairperson of Chadema, the country's main opposition party, said in a speech the current constitution gives “someone the chance to be a dictator or a king", adding it should be a government priority to set a timetable and a procedural framework to change the constitution.

Mbowe also called on President Samia Suluhu Hassan to "fast track" her proposal, presented on Tuesday, to form a scientific committee to research Covid-19.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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