What began as a spark ignited by family legacy and a love for travel has grown into one of KwaZulu-Natal’s emerging tourism and transport success stories.
Neo Star Car Rentals & Travel Tours, founded by Tshukudu Moepadira in July 2018, is a proudly South African brand offering world-class car rentals, guided tours, airport transfers, and bespoke travel experiences.
The packages are afforded across South Africa, Zambia, Lesotho, and Tanzania. Neo Star also provides flight bookings, camper rentals, and adventure excursions like hiking, zip-lining, and bungee jumping.
“Neo Star was born out of a passion for travel and a desire to provide exceptional experiences for others,” said Moepadira, who serves as the company’s founder and chief executive officer.
“My late brother Hloni’s journey and experiences played a significant role in shaping my vision. He ran a travel company in the Eastern Free State – Qwa Qwa – and I was bitten by the travel industry bug from there. Seeing him passionate about the journey, various cultures, tourists, local communities and overall experience... we take pride in this, as our father was an astute businessman as well. We learned a lot from him.”
With a diploma in Human Resources Management and over eight years in the insurance industry, Moepadira built a foundation rooted in business acumen and customer service.
“Before starting Neo Star, I was working in the insurance industry... gaining valuable experience and insights that would later inform my business decisions, as one also travels a lot across South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.”
As SADC countries continue to invest in tourism infrastructure and regional marketing, Neo Star has observed a growing demand for curated, accessible, and culturally immersive travel experiences. The company aims to offer clients more than just destinations—focusing instead on creating meaningful connections with Southern Africa’s people, landscapes, and diverse cultural heritage.
The SADC region is an economic community established to promote cooperation and integration among its member states in Southern Africa. The organisation aims to foster socio-economic development, peace, and security within the region.
As South Africa prepares to host the G20 summit in November, its role as the 2025 G20 President presents a valuable opportunity to champion both national priorities and those of the wider SADC region on the global stage.
Neo Star officially launched in 2018, starting out with basic car rental services.
“We started off with our own money, a shoestring budget, and it came with lots of challenges, yet we stretched it out to be where we are as we grow in the business.” The early market response was encouraging.
“We then expanded to offering airport transfers and guided tours. The market responded positively, and we quickly built a loyal client base.”
Today, the company offers a range of services, including customised travel packages tailored to both domestic and international clients. With a team of three travel agents and four drivers based in Durban, and a network of partner drivers in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Port Elizabeth, Neo Star is steadily scaling its presence nationwide.
“We stand out due to our commitment to exceptional customer service, our knowledge of local destinations, and our ability to tailor experiences to our clients’ needs,” Moepadira explains.
Multiple accolades
The business has earned multiple accolades along the way.
“We’ve received and are proud to have won awards over the years – Prestige Awards Car Rental Specialist of the Year 2022/23/24 and Corporate LiveWire's Best Travel Platform KZN 2024"
Moepadira himself was named the 2023 TransUnion Rising Star in Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure, and was a second runner-up in the 40 Under Forty SA and Global Awards.
Support from the National Department of Tourism, especially during COVID-19, helped keep the business afloat during difficult times.
As Chairman of Durban West Tourism and Vice-Chair of The KwaZulu-Natal Gay & Lesbian Tourism Association, Moepadira is deeply embedded in the local tourism landscape.
His vision for Neo Star remains ambitious: “We’re working toward expanding our services, exploring new destinations, and continuing to provide exceptional experiences for our clients, whilst building more meaningful partnerships across the globe,” he concluded.
For more information about Neo Star Car Rentals & Travel Tours visit www.neostar.co.za
For more information, text 065 821 2559 or visit neostar.co.za or email info@neostar.co.za. They are also available on Instagram @neostar_travel_tours.
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