Why did the Dlamini move to central Eswatini under King Sobhuza I?

Under the leadership of King Sobhuza I, the Dlamini moved northward to central Eswatini (the Middleveld) around 1820 primarily to escape the serious military threats posed by neighboring clans, specifically the Ndwandwe and the Zulu.12

The Dlamini sought to establish a safer heartland where they could consolidate their power and protect their people from the turbulent regional conflicts of the time. After facing repeated attacks near the Pongola River, Sobhuza I migrated his people north of the Usutu River and eventually established a base in the Ezulwini valley, where he successfully extended Dlamini-Ngwane influence. This strategic relocation allowed the Dlamini to forge a new political identity and strengthen their control over the region.21