Traditional leaders need to play their part to help stop xenophobia, GBV: King Goodwill Zwelithini

He also says the government should work closely with traditional leaders as they understand their communities better.

"The tradition of teaching South Africans to stop attacking foreigners and teaching men to stop abusing women should be practised in all communities,” he said.

“Traditional leaders can organize meetings with men to talk, then these men should pass on the teachings to their young boys. I would like to ask all leaders here today to go back and preach Ubuntu in their communities."

The King is expected to travel to Johannesburg next week for an imbizo, aimed at calming tensions between locals and foreign nationals.