The UNDP 2025 Reunion Out of Africa Awards

Compered by Robert Redford (aka Ross)

Presented by Meryl Streep (aka Renu)

  1. The Magnificient Migrants Award : First Timers - so well integrated - Kamal and Anita (sparkly eyes), Akiko and Yasushi, Bertrand and Martine, Hans and Mari, Neal and Gabriella, Carlotta and Juliette!
  2. The Hats Award : The best matching couple hats - Akiko and Yasushi. Runner-up - Renata,for Met Gala look!
  3. The most uncomfortable looking, comfortable sandals Award : Carlotta
  4. The 51 Shades of Beige award : Mari for Swedish fashion. (Hans??)
  5. The best laughs Award : tinkling and uplifting, Anna; The guffaw, Neal, supported by Gabriella
  6. The never too late to fall in love Award : shared by Richard and Anne, and, Petra and Pelle.
  7. The best role models Award : Eugene and Marlie
  8. Still sexy at seventy-something Award : Joanna
  9. Too long in hardship duty stations, lost touch with movie beauties Award : Ross
  10. Most cheerful smilers with sound advice Award : Antonius and Debra
  11. The Glowing Grandpas and Grandmas Award : Bertrand and Martine; Hans and Mari
  12. How best to model and pose Award : second time in a row, Pratibha
  13. The most challenging new profession Award, constructing an eco-resort : Isabel and Colin
  14. Who needs Babbel with an in-house specialist Award : Cècile
  15. The most professional technical advisers on muséums, culture and spas Award : Dominique and Robert
  16. The best contributor to the local economy Award : Juliette
  17. The photographer with the best marital support Award : Ed with Joyce
  18. The Courageous Guys Award : Christian, to accompany Renata; Anthony, to be without Mariella.
  19. The Wizard of Oz bold lion Award : young Claire, joining elders
  20. The most efficient, competent, reliable : Christine
  21. The most huggable, lovable, dependable : Alessandra
  22. The pie in the sky, useless wannabe writer Award : Renu

Lessons Learned

From Snowy, our guide

  • It really did snow in Joburg once…
  • Multiple ways of describing time - but still not be on time…
  • The many ways of saying 1994, but don’t ask the French!
  • Enabling wine tasting, despite loosing time with pushy photo ops at Cape of Good Hope
  • Being passionate, but balanced, about one’s country - positives and missteps
  • Finally, moré learnings than many guidebooks, because of the personal, lived experiences narrated to us at every twist and turn.

Thank you, Snowy!

Renu Chahil-Graf

October 2025

From Snowy, our guide