Energy and water ministers from the southern African nations have unanimously called for urgent and united action to address the worsening water and energy crises that threaten regional development, economic stability and social progress. The call was made today at the close of the Joint Meeting of the Committee of SADC Ministers Responsible for Energy and Water. This meeting was preceded by week-long meetings by a senior official who deliberated on challenges in electricity production and as well as sought to improve water management across the region. Electricity shortages plague the entire SADC region, largely due to population growth and climate change-induced droughts severely impacting power generation. More from John Cassim, our Correspondent based in Harare, Zimbabwe.