DISCOVER WHY EATING LIKE A LOCAL IS SO VERY LEKKER WITH CAPITEC CLIENTS RIO HOOPER AND RUPESH KASSEN

Learn how to fold a samoosa, which fynbos goes with lamb and why the most lekker eating is local with Rio Hooper and Rupesh Kassen.

Rio Hooper is an international model, make-up artist, influencer and senior brand director for a beauty company. Titles aside, her take is that you are the average of those you most hang out with, so her circle is rich with creative, enterprising, local people and flavours.

Upon spending the day with Rio, we discovered how varied and interesting it is to be someone who wears so many hats. This day in particular, they keep changing up from one to the next, kicked off with a styled photo shoot in Cape Town with photographer Dylan Louw.

“Every single day as a model and an influencer is different in the industry. You always get to do exciting and different things, whether you’re exploring the beach, working from home on your Instagram, meeting new people. It is probably one of the best things to be a part of,” comments Rio.

Meeting new people was exactly what Rio was about to do when setting out to discover Cape Town’s food culture with Rupesh Kassen, the founder of Eat Like A Local walking food tours.

Rupesh is starting a movement by promoting uniquely curated food experiences that provide insight into local culture, history, and food trends. And Rio, her boyfriend Christopher Hosken and sister Tyler-Jade Hooper had no idea the world of aroma that lay right beneath their noses.

Beyond our famous rooibos tea and piri-piri chicken, the world has barely tasted the full breadth of South African flavour which includes buchu, snowbush and so much more.

“We’ve learned about all the different types of fynbos, and how it’s used. We’ve smelt it, tasted it, and I’ll definitely be sure to use it in my teas in future,” shares Tyler-Jade Hooper.

Rupesh has been empowered to run such a spontaneous, responsive business since he moved to Capitec‘s simple digital banking, which allows him to bank from anywhere, anytime.

“One of my favourite things about the Capitec account is the ease of use. It’s simple, and has all the functionality and flexibility that I need as a small business owner,” says the guide and entrepreneur.

Very much like Rio helps other women create a second stream of income through their social media, Rupesh brings major exposure to local enterprises like that of Faeeza Abrahams.

Faeeza hosted Rio and friends at her home in Bo Kaap, and demonstrated how to make samoosa’s (a very important snack in the Cape Malay culture) from scratch. The treat thereafter, was tasting the fruits of their efforts along with other typical Cape Malay treats.

Making it easier for these entrepreneurs to build their brands, support one another and transact on the go, is their choice of bank.

To confess how many samoosas were enjoyed wouldn’t be polite but enough to prepare for a best-of-local wine-tasting with sommelier Penelope Setti.

Penny served up a lovely Colombar and a Pinotage, the quintessential South African grape variety.

“South African wines are unique because of the sunshine that we have here. That translates into these wines that are expressive, ripe and fun to drink,” shares Penny.

It goes without saying that it was a lovely day and experience but Rio’s words sum up the day best.

“The whole day today was great. It’s one of the best experiences that I’ve been on and my ideal, perfect day, if I could have one. Learning new things, seeing the town and it really just proves that local is lekker!”

With this ease of transacting enabling you to live better, if you’re not a Capitec client yet, what are you waiting for?

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