The project began in 2006 with 500 trees being wrapped with 5km's of rope light. In 2007, the SCMD used the same rope lights and commissioned artist Usha Seejarim to design the Why Men – wire figures wrapped in the rope light and placed throughout Maude Street. These fanciful, tall and thin figures were engaged everyday activities, like kissing, hanging up the washing and watering the garden. The project won a Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) Business Day Award in May 2008.