Dlamini clan can be found in all of the ethnic groups of the Nguni branch of Bantu people in South Africa and Eswatini.
In the early 19th century, the Swazi branch of the Dlamini clan's centre of power shifted to the central part of Eswatini, known as Ezulwini valley.
In the south of the country (present day Shiselweni), tensions between the Ngwane and the Ndwandwe led to armed conflict.
Later on, Sobhuza was able to strategically avoid conflict with the powerful Zulu kingdom which was now ruling in the south of the Pongola River.
The Dlamini dynasty grew in strength and ruled over a large country encompassing the whole of present Eswatini during this time.