Herman Mashaba’s statement that “Africa’s sense of entitlement to South Africa is UNBELIEVABLE” is a disgraceful insult to African solidarity and the sacrifices made in the struggle against apartheid. @JosinaZMachel, daughter of the late Mozambican President Samora Machel, was right to remind this man of the historical ties between Mozambique and South Africa. @HermanMashaba must educate himself about those who stood with us when apartheid sought to crush our liberation struggle. Samora Machel was a revolutionary who understood that African freedom could not be separated from the liberation of Southern Africa. Under his leadership, Mozambique supported liberation movements fighting white minority rule. That solidarity came at an enormous cost. Mozambique endured aggression and destabilisation by the apartheid regime because it stood with those fighting for freedom. South African freedom fighters also operated beyond our borders, and some perished on Mozambican soil. Our liberation was never achieved in isolation. It was secured through the blood, courage and sacrifices of South Africans and our brothers and sisters across Africa. If Mashaba wants to speak about entitlement, let us speak about the African countries that sheltered freedom fighters, the families who lost loved ones and the communities that suffered for standing against apartheid. Mashaba must also answer questions about concerning his historical role during apartheid. Herman Mashaba was an informer and a collaborated with the apartheid security system must be tested against credible historical evidence. Those who sold out freedom fighters must never be celebrated while our heroes and heroines lie buried far from home. Josina Machel’s invitation for Mashaba to visit Mozambique and the places where South African and Mozambican fighters perished was an opportunity to learn and pay respect. It would be an insult to our gallant heroes and heroines to dismiss their sacrifices while reducing African solidarity to entitlement. Who is demanding that South Africa surrender its sovereignty? Remembering Mozambique’s contribution is not surrender. Gratitude is not weakness. Honouring Samora Machel and the Mozambican people is acknowledging historical truth. Josina Machel is defending the memory of a liberation struggle that cost African people dearly. She deserves to be heard, not insulted. Our fallen freedom fighters cannot speak for themselves. We must defend their memory against historical distortion and the erasure of African solidarity. African solidarity is not entitlement. Gratitude is not submission. South Africa’s freedom was paid for in blood, sacrifice and solidarity.