If South Africa is to be successful on the world stage then it is essential that the country has an educated workforce. Without this it will always remain a mix between a first world country and a third world country. It will remain uncompetitive and eventually be overtaken by other developing nations. The cooperation between government and the private sector in the rolling out of adult basic education and training initiatives is aimed at educating the South African workforce so that it can compete on a level stage with the best in the world and so take its rightful place in the community of nations.