Speaking during the swearing in of Inkosi Msekeli Zulu of the Nokwenja clan in southern KwaZulu-Natal at the weekend, Zwelithini said it was traumatising to see traditional leaders perish due to HIV and AIDS, leaving their wives and children orphaned.

He told thousands of people and amakhosi from Sisonke district attending the swearing in of Zulu that amakhosi must understand that HIV-AIDS had no boundaries.

Flanked by his youngest queen, Zola kaMafu, Prince Mbonisi Zulu and MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs Nomusa Dube, he said he was worried about the deaths of amakhosi from HIV and AIDS.

"It must be clear to all amakhosi that HIV and AIDS ravages everyone's life. I'm concerned about the death of amakhosi, who leave behind orphaned children.

"A number of amakhosi have died after taking the oath to lead their clans, hardly having spent five years in office," Zwelithini said..

He announced that the Ingonyama Trust Board had taken the issue upon itself to assist amakhosi cope with HIV-AIDS.

"The board has introduced an HIV-Aids programme aimed at assisting infected amakhosi. And those who are HIV positive must come forward for help," he said.

He ordered amakhosi to stop being promiscuous.

Dube said they wanted amakhosi to be responsible and ensure that rural development became a success. She also urged councillors to work closely with amakhosi in order to deliver services to the communities.

"We want amakhosi and izinduna to bring back the dignity to our communities by introducing humanity programmes," she said.