The article discusses how rural roads in South Africa are now being funded through toll roads and more private sector involvement. This change was driven by a need for better economic justification for road projects and a search for new funding sources. Before 1980, the private sector was involved in road provision through contracting and construction work. Since the implementation of toll roads in 1982, private companies are now financing, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating national roads in exchange for toll collection rights. This shift towards privatization in the road sector is a response to the increasing shortage of funds for roads in South Africa.