The Adult Basic Education Program at Umgeni Water, a water authority in South Africa, is a workplace literacy program that seeks to impart skills within the workplace that can be used in community development, benefiting both the business and community involved. From a pilot project in 1989, the adult education program at Umgeni Water has grown into a holistic development program targeted at the 540 employees assessed to be below a level of functional literacy (42 percent of the work force). At present, 342 learners are in the program, organized into 21 classes at 11 sites. Learners attend classes for 4 hours per week during work time. The program is run by a team of six facilitators experienced in adult education. In 3 years, the program has increased the functional literacy rate among the target group by 12 percent. The program takes a consultative approach, encouraging input from all stakeholders. Learning is experiential and relevant to the life experiences of adults. The learning the adults acquire at work empowers them to participate in community development efforts that benefit themselves as well as the wider community. (KC)