Wire figures wreathed in light, captured doing ordinary things like walking the dog and taking photographs of the Nelson Mandela statue, will again bring a festive air to central Sandton.
WHIMSICAL and mysterious figures will again light up the streets of central Sandton, bringing a festive air to the up-market retail and financial district.
The wire men, wreathed in beautiful light, will be captured in everyday poses - walking the dog, digging a hole, sitting on a bench, taking a shower under a streetlight, taking a photograph in Nelson Mandela Square.
Initiated by the Sandton Central Management District (SCMD) in 2006, this year's rope light figures are expected to be the best yet. They will be switched on, on Thursday, 6 November at 7.30pm, outside the main entrance of the Sandton Convention Centre, in Maud Street, Sandton. And everyone's invited to witness the spectacle.
There will be more Why Men glowing figures than in previous years, with over 50 erected along Maude Street.
"Since the inception of Why Men, the project has gained so much momentum and popularity that we have decided to make it an annual one," said Cara Reilly, the marketing manager of SCMD.
"The mysterious figures completely transform the atmosphere in Sandton Central and create a beautiful, romantic and truly festive sight, comparable with global city offerings in Chicago and Paris."
She pointed out that the country's energy crisis had to be taken take into consideration. "This year's figures are made of indoor light emitting diode (LED) rope light [which] is not only more energy efficient but is kinder to the environment as well."
The LED lights lasted longer, were more robust, and more cost efficient. They were also safer as they produced a lower level of heat.
Artist Usha Seerajim, who devised the Why Men concept, has again designed the figures. "When inventing Why Men, I wanted to create something exciting and fun. It [had to] still have the Christmas theme, but at the same time I didn't want the typical Christmas."
The name Why Men came about unexpectedly. "We initially didn't have a name for our figures. We referred to them as wire men, until a colleague's son asked his mother why we called the figures Why Men, and we said, why not."
For more information, telephone Debbie Schutte on 011 447 7138 or send an email to
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