The town was established around a migrant Dutch farming community from the neighbouring South Africa province of Transvaal (today Mpumalanga)[1] who gave it the Afrikaans name of Goedgegun.

It was an important agricultural town and nexus of maize production, tobacco and cotton farming.

Itsd reputation was enhanced by a thriving annual agriculture show - the only one in the country until it was eclipsed by the Manzini Trade Fair.

Nhlangano means "meeting" and commemorates the historic visit Britain's King George VI in March 1947.

The nucleus of the national leadership migrated north for safety after repeated attacks by stronger communities, especially the Ndwandwe of Zwide and the Zulu, first under Shaka, then Dingane and Mpande.