Based upon the success of a prior project electrifying Myeka High School in Maphephethe, South Africa, SELF electrified three schools in the Eastern Cape Province, the birthplace of Nelson Mandela, in 2008. The project funded by the Kellogg Foundation and JP Morgan Chase brought 2,000 students and their community access to reliable lighting, internet, and laptops that were provided by Dell Computers.

The objective of this project was to provide sustainable energy to a cluster of schools in the marginalized rural area or the Eastern Cape Province near Mthatha (Elliotdale). The computers and power generated by the solar installations were used to provide students with access to expanded education. The project also catalyzed community involvement and community training programs in informational and communications technology (ICT) by and for the community, which began in November 2008.