For years, trolls used one phrase to laugh at him, “A Yesu alibe degree,” but today, Abdulrazack Moffat has turned that same phrase into a story of resilience after finally earning his first degree.
Moffat, the founder of Umatha Daily and popularly known as “Yesu” on X, announced his graduation from MUBAS on his official media accounts, ending an 11-year journey marked by war, setbacks and countless comebacks.
According to Moffat, his journey began in 2014 when he completed the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) with 16 points and secured a scholarship to study in Turkey.
However, he said the opportunity failed to materialize due to political circumstances, forcing him to rethink his plans.
Determined to continue his education, Moffat enrolled at Malawi College of Accountancy (MCA) in 2016. While studying there, he earned another scholarship, this time to Sudan, where he pursued honours studies.
He said his academic ambitions remained on course until 2023, when war erupted in Sudan during his fifth year of study.
The conflict forced him to flee the country before completing his degree.
Moffat also revealed that he was detained by the Sudanese Armed Forces while escaping the conflict after being mistaken for a South Sudanese soldier.
“The war, the trauma, and the lives I saw lost could have easily made me give up,” he wrote on X.
Instead of abandoning his dream, Moffat returned to Malawi and enrolled at MUBAS through the mature entry programme in 2024.
His decision came despite years of public criticism and mockery from some people who questioned why he had not yet obtained a degree.
Moffat referenced the phrase “A Yesu alibe degree,” which became a recurring criticism directed at him on social media.
Despite the setbacks, he said encouragement from friends on X helped him remain focused on his goal.
“Today at 28 years old, after 11 years of setbacks, closed doors, and starting over more than once, your boy is finally graduating,” he wrote.
“The journey was much longer than expected, but quitting was never an option.”
The announcement attracted widespread reactions on X, with many users congratulating Moffat and praising his perseverance in the face of repeated setbacks.
