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Mzilikazi's journey between 1821 and 1838 was characterized by a series of migrations and conflicts with neighboring groups.
In 1822, Mzilikazi was defeated at the Battle of Entumbane and forced to flee northwards with a Khumalo group of not more than 300 people. By 1823, they had settled at a place called Ekuphumuleni in the Nzunza area. Later, most of the Nzunza were absorbed into the Khumalo nation.
Mzilikazi moved from Ekuphumeleni because it was near Zululand and because of droughts and attacks by the Pedi around 1826. He settled at Mhlahlandlela in Kwena land in 1826. The Sotho referred to the Khumalo as Matabele (men of long shields), which is where their name originated from.
Between 1825 and 1829, Mzilikazi moved from Ekuphumeleni to central Transvaal. In 1837, he led his people across the Limpopo River into what is now Zimbabwe. There, he established his capital at Bulawayo and began building up a powerful kingdom based on cattle herding and agriculture.
During this period, Mzilikazi faced many challenges including conflicts with neighboring groups such as the Zulu, Pedi, and Ndebele. However, he was ultimately successful in establishing a powerful kingdom in what is now Zimbabwe that lasted for many years after his death.
