The role of Adult Basic Education and training in changing the economic destiny of South Africa should not be underestimated. As South Africa’s natural commodities grow scarcer and as the job of simply getting them out of the Earth becomes more costly and dangerous so the economic emphasis must change to one of a knowledge economy where the products are primarily value added (for example jewelry making) or the product of ideas (consultancy services). If this change is to be successful then South Africa needs an educated workforce. The various ABET programs being rolled out across South Africa are the first step in this direction.