Just a note... a high pH (above 7) means it's basic. Since lye is a strong base a newly made soap will be alkaline. Like lsg said, the pH will go down as it ages. A safe pH is anywhere between 5-8.
Here's a link to a site about soap pH and skin that I find really helpful...
You can totally make soap out of 100% shea butter. African black soap is usually all (or a very high percentage) shea butter. Most people use it in small quantities because it's so expensive, but it should make a wonderfully moisturizing soap.
