These fanciful, tall and thin figures were engaged everyday activities, like kissing, hanging up the washing and watering the garden. Added to this, the SCMD also changed 52 street light luminaries from the yellow light to a green light. The project won a Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) Business Day Award in May 2008. After the festive season the green lamps were replaced with white metal halide lamps which enhance visibility for pedestrians and motorists.

In 2008, the mysterious and enlightening Why Men figures made their way back to Sandton Central to bring an extraordinarily festive experience to the area. This year's Illumination Project, saw 50 glowing figures, illuminating Maude Street with fancifully curious life-sized figures that bathes Sandton Central in a romantic glow when they were switched on at night. Seejarim's 2008 designs are ambitious, and exciting. She incorporated some of the existing figures and also included some surprising installations. On the one hand, her designs are whimsical with figures at leisure – walking dogs, fishing and taking a shower, while on the other they are very obviously urban – talking on phones, busy on laptops, pushing wheelbarrows and building skyscrapers.

One of the most exciting parts of the 2008, project was the commissioning of a giant Why Man on Nelson Mandela Square. On Friday, 21st November, the tallest Why Man in the history of the Sandton Central Illumination Project was switched on as part of a programme to mark the launch of the Mzansi Collection Concept Store, a pop-up shopping experience in the country's most exclusive retail hub, Nelson Mandela Square. The store gives birth to a new, all-South African brand – the Mzansi Collection and is a brand that celebrates the soul of South Africa, and give a whole new meaning to retail therapy. Sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), like the other Why Men, the giant is made of steel and wrapped in white LED rope light and stands a whopping 6 metres tall. Located on Nelson Mandela Square, the giant proudly serenades his love, who is standing coyly on the balcony of the Sandton Library, with a bunch of glowing red flowers. This romantic gesture, known as the Mzansi Romance, is a pioneering extension of the Illumination Project and immediately stops you in your tracks as you gaze upon his tender gift to his love.

Also in 2008, the Why Men will be suffused in a mysterious blue hue emanating from 113 street lights throughout the area. This is made possible by Phillips Lighting, who has sponsored120 blue MH-T 400W E40 SLV/6 bulbs that will replace the white bulbs currently in the street lights. In 2007 green bulbs were placed in the luminaries but with Phillips on board the SCMD was able to bring a new colour glow to the area and develop a partnership with a lighting company such as Phillips.

The 2008 project will enlighten Sandton Central until the end of February 2009, so grab your comfortable shoes and take a leisurely stroll through the area to experience a truly urban festive celebration. The Sandton Central "Men in Red" will be on hand to assist you if needs be and to point out the many different Why Men in Maude Street.