“Grateful to be alive and safe.”
That was the overwhelming feeling shared by comedian Marc Lottering and his husband, author Anwar McKay, after their Mozambique holiday took a dramatic turn.
Image courtesy of Anwar McKay on Facebook
The couple had travelled from Cape Town to the laid-back surf town of Tofo Beach, in Inhambane Province, when they found themselves directly in the path of Tropical Cyclone Gezani.
The powerful system made landfall in eastern Madagascar on 10 February, packing winds of around 180km/h with gusts reportedly reaching up to 230km/h. As it tracked across the Mozambique Channel, the cyclone weakened slightly but still caused severe damage along the Mozambican coastline. Local reports indicate that at least four people lost their lives as a result of the storm.
ALSO READ:
Erasmus Castle restoration hits pause as specialist skills prove hard to find
In the hours before Gezani struck, McKay filmed a moment that, in hindsight, felt almost surreal: breakfast at a beachfront café, waves crashing violently behind him while staff rushed to secure the premises.
“This video was recorded just hours before the cyclone hit,” he wrote on Facebook. “I was in complete denial because, in my mind, cyclones happened on CNN in faraway places, to other people. Well, the penny should have dropped that I was indeed in a faraway place!”
Despite the chaos, his message was one of gratitude. “I am grateful to be alive and safe. Tofo is a beautiful seaside village, and the people are incredibly kind and humble.”
Lottering, meanwhile, shared his own clip from the shoreline, the humour noticeably dialled down as towering waves rolled in behind him.
“This was on the morning, just a few hours before the cyclone hit,” he joked. “Anwar was still eager to capture moments with his phone. But look at my face, man. I was done with jokes, wondering if that was my last poached egg.”
Thankfully, the couple escaped without injury and have since returned safely to Mozambique-free skies back home in Cape Town.
Reflecting on the experience, Mc Kay described it as “an adventure of a lifetime”, adding: “Everything about this trip was unpredictable. Mozambique has the most wonderful, humble and kind people. Tofo is a vibe.”
Source: IOL
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
ALSO READ:
Durban named one of the world’s best places to visit in 2026
