A family from The Bluff, Durban, is living a nightmare as they count down every minute and second, anticipating news about their son and brother, Cowan Reed Titus (28), who has been missing since the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar last Friday.

According to Southlands Sun, more than 3 100 people have died so far, with 221 still missing. Among them is Cowan, a dedicated schoolteacher who had made Mandalay his new home.

The earthquake reduced thousands of buildings to rubble, cut off infrastructure, and pushed families like the Titus family into a state of despair. For Samantha and Kurt Titus, and their daughter Tyla, each day with no news is a test of faith and willpower.

Samantha said Cowan was always enthusiastic about teaching and had dreams of doing so abroad. He first moved to China with a friend before relocating to Cambodia and ultimately settling in Myanmar at the Higher Champs International School. Just a month before the quake, Cowan took a short trip to South Africa to attend his best friend Michala Norman’s wedding before returning to Mandalay.

Samantha said she kept in daily contact with Cowan and last messaged him at 09:15 South African time last Friday – around 14:00 in Myanmar. The message registered a single tick, which she initially attributed to possible Wi-Fi issues or him being busy at school.

She messaged again, but still got no response. Worried, especially as Cowan was due to return home on Tuesday for a month-long break, Samantha contacted one of Cowan’s Johannesburg-based friends. Not long after, the friend’s mother phoned to say she too could not reach her daughter, Mishka Moodley, who was also teaching in Mandalay.

Last Saturday morning, Samantha turned on the TV and saw the devastating news of the earthquake. Panic set in as the family searched desperately for information on Cowan. Samantha said she contacted the embassy in Pretoria, which referred her to the British Consulate in Myanmar. After a few hours, the family received confirmation that Cowan was missing.

Tracking Cowan

Following the quake, Cowan’s colleagues, friends, and relatives began a desperate search for any sign of him. From his social media activity, Tyla traced his last known location to his apartment. He had left early on the day of the earthquake because he was unwell.

Determined to find him, Cowan’s friends and co-workers in Mandalay have been searching day and night. “The love and support have been phenomenal. We are still hopeful. We are still standing in faith that Cowan is alive,” said Samantha.

Community support and appreciation

Despite the anguish, the family has found solace in their faith and community support. Every evening, they gather to pray and keep a light burning for his safe return. “The strength of prayer is incredible. We know that our son will be coming home,” she said.

Samantha described Cowan as a truly one-of-a-kind person with an inviting spirit that made everyone feel comfortable around him. “We never knew the impact Cowan had on so many people’s lives until now. We knew he had friends, but not this many. So many people are actively searching for him,” she said.

One-of-a-kind relationship

Tyla (24) said her brother is her best friend, even though they were miles apart.

“We spoke every day. He would always tell me how much he loved me and how proud he was of me. We called on the Tuesday before the earthquake and we just cried, saying how excited we were to spend quality time together again. He is my only sibling, and I cannot imagine him not being there for me. But I am praying, and I am hopeful because I know Cowan is strong,” said Tyla.

The family continues to ask for prayers and support from the community. “My arms, his dad’s arms, his sister’s arms and everybody’s arms are wide open and waiting to give him our love and give him a hug because we know that he’s being strong, he’s being strong for all of us. I feel that he hears us and know that he hears us, and he’s being protected by God and the angels and the blood that’s covering him and protecting him, we know that he’s coming home,” said Samantha.

Another South African’s body found

eNCA reported yesterday that the body of another South African teacher was found beneath the rubble after the Myanmar earthquake. Eleven other South Africans have been confirmed safe and accounted for.

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