King Goodwill Zwelithini has called on maskandi musicians to take care of their lives and refrain from sleeping around.

A maskandi muscican group visited Zwelithini's Enyokeni Palace in Nongo-ma on Friday to plead with him to seek the divine intervention of amadlozi (ancestors) to protect them.

Artists bemoaned the fact that more than 10 of their colleagues had died within six months.

The artists donated 12 head of cattle, including four from Dumisani Goba, South African Traditional Music Achievement Awards founder.

Mgqumeni Khumalo, Bhekumuzi Khumalo and Simosakhe Mthalane were concerned about colleagues.

But King Zwelithini lashed out at the musicians, ordering them to stop being promiscuous.

"Talented artists are dying due to negligence," the king said.

"We should not shy away from the reality that people die of HIV-Aids. People have forgotten their indigenous norms and fail to respect themselves."

Zwelithini said the devastating wave of HIV-Aids affected many people.

"It's brave of artists to come to the palace and report challenges. The last to do so was Mahlathini Nkabinde's group and I'm pleased the ancestors showed you it's important to respect your culture."