 Somhlolo was a strategic leader between 1815 and 1839 a period including the Mfecane period of Shaka Zulu a Zulu illegitimate child of Senzangakhona who created his kingdom from the
Mtetwa polity established by Dingiswayo.Sobhuza used his diplomatic skills to avoid conflict with Shaka by allying with him when it suited him.As a
result, Swaziland was left unaffected by the Mfecane wars.