[1] He was called Somhlolo, meaning "Mysterious man", upon his birth because his father, Ndvungunye, was struck by lightning.
Sobhuza by the time of his death had conquered a country claimed to reach to modern day Barberton in the north, Carolina in the west, Pongola River in the south and Lubombo Mountains in the east.
While Sobhuza thus became Ndvungunye's heir and successor, Lojiba rather than Somnjalose became Indlovukati or Queen Mother upon his accession.
1750, that the Dlamini kings conquered and established the country Sobhuza inherited, incorporating more than a dozen smaller chiefdoms led by chiefs from other clans.
Sobhuza moved the main royal center northward into what is now Zombodze central Eswatini, with many of his followers relocating as well.
After moving the center of Dlamini royal power to the north, Sobhuza led the conquest of many local chiefdoms.