| Giant Why Man to light up Sandton |
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| Written by Brenda Masilela | |
| Friday, 21 November 2008 | |
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At six metres tall and standing on a balcony, the giant Mzansi Romance Why Men sculpture will stop night-time visitors to Nelson Mandela Square in their tracks. 
Wire sculptures of men in various everyday poses are illuminating Sandton's central streets, bringing festive cheer to the area
THE biggest Why Men of them all is being switched on tonight, bringing a touch of romance to Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton. Already, a host of Why Men - whimsical wire sculptures of men in various everyday poses wreathed in rope lights - are illuminating Sandton's central streets in a unique interpretation of the traditional Christmas street lights. Initiated by the Sandton Central Management District (SACMD), which runs the annual project, and sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry, the giant Why Man is made of steel and wrapped in light emitting diode (LED) rope light. It stands six metres tall, and will be standing on the balcony of the Sandton Library, towering above the square. The enormous Why Men will be switched on on Friday, 21 November at 7.30pm. It has been designed to mark the launch of the Mzansi Collection concept shop at Nelson Mandela Square, which will be open from 28 November until 16 December. It will re-open again in January. "The store will give birth to a new, all-South African brand Mzansi Collection [that] will celebrate the soul of South Africa, and give a whole new meaning to retail therapy," said Cara Reilly, the SCMD's marketing manager. "[The sculpture], known as Mzansi Romance, is a pioneering extension of our award-winning illumination project. It's the largest Why Man the project has ever seen, and immediately stops you in your tracks as you gaze upon his tender gift to his love. We hope Mzansi Romance is on everyone's lips this festive season. We're planning on reinventing the concept each year, so that no festive season in Sandton Central looks the same." 
Employees working frantically to get the giant Why Man ready for tonight's switch on at the Nelson Mandela Square
Reilly said Why Men was under constant construction and each year was an improvement over the last. "For an example, we had to come up with a more energy efficient solution this year in light of our current energy crisis." The first Why Men appeared in December 2006. LED lights lasted longer, were more robust and more cost efficient, and were safer as they produced a lower level of heat. Artist Usha Seerajim, who devised the Why Men concept, designed the gigantic Why Man. "I made the Why Man more fun and interesting by using the theme of the new store and made him carry a bunch of flowers." The Mzansi Collection, a public-private partnership, is spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry. Partners include the City of Johannesburg; Jobs for Growth/IDT; the departments of Arts and Culture, Water Affairs and Forestry, and Agriculture; the Gauteng provincial government; and Proudly South Africa. It is an umbrella brand merging Gift, South African Handmade Collection and Homegrown Collection. Creating market access for small and emerging enterprises, the collection ranges from socially responsible gifts to contemporary crafts, home ware, cutlery and kitchen ware, and personal accessories, all with an African look and feel. Also in stock is fine jewellery inspired by the township game morabaraba and Zulu Lulu's quirky ceramic Dhlamini Doll, Sophy the Ndebele beaded Christmas angel and Sesfikile Rain Song Pinotage. Everything is proudly made in South Africa. Related stories: |
