Recent studies such as the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES) indicate rates of overweight (26%) and obesity (41%) among the black South African female population, which represents a major public health threat. Social groups can be empowered as a channel for behaviour change. One group, the Stokvel, a private credit union in which black South Africans pool their money, offers a distinctive opportunity for capacity building and obesity prevention interventions. The Self-Help Obesity Prevention Program in Stokvels (SHOPPS) will offer a wellness program comprising a healthy diet, increased physical activity (PA), and a self-help cognitive-behavioral intervention for black South African women in Stokvels. Mobile phones and evidence-based, Web-based weight control programs are promising approaches for obesity prevention and SHOPPS will demonstrate their potential in conjunction with social support activities. This paper describes the SHOPPS conceptual framework, methods, protocol, and intervention strategy using digital media.