Zoopy opened their virtual doors this week, bringing to three the number of local video sharing websites in South Africa.

Closed beta testing has been happening behind the scenes since the last quarter of 2006. The site has now launched its Live Beta version to South Africa and South Africans across the globe, giving users the chance to enjoy the site and help iron out any last bugs that may still be hiding somewhere.

Zoopy.com is another way South Africans have to connect and share with friends, family, colleagues and (some very nice) complete strangers. Founded by four Capetonians (three under 30 and one over 60), Zoopy as a concept came naturally – and with great enthusiasm.

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"Sharing is a law of human nature. Having someone else’s reaction as part of the experience turns plain old events into hilarious, interactive and meaningful memories that last a lifetime," Co-founder Jason Elk said.

Elk says the team at Zoopy HQ is, "flipping proud to be South African and even prouder to be bringing South Africans closer together through Zoopy’s home-grown functionality, wherever they live."

Compitition time

Though the golden rule at Zoopy is 'just have fun', there are prizes on offer to amateur filmmakers and stars in the making as well. The site currently features its first of many competitions in the form of Claim to Fame, with a 30GB Video iPod going to the entrant who uploads a video of themselves demonstrating the most talent in whatever way, shape or form. From playing music to telling jokes to singing, Claim to Fame is out to find South Africa’s best online talent – and then give them their 15 minutes of online fame!

After signing up at Zoopy, members are immediately able to:

  • Watch videos and view photos in 27 different channels - ranging from Animals and Celebrations to iWitness News and Gross
  • Upload videos up to 100MB and photos up to 5MB - free for life!
  • Let everyone know about their profile page at their permanent Zoopy URL e.g. www.zoopy.com/sa_mullet.
  • Customize their profile with backgrounds and avatars
  • Connect with friends online through their own Zoopy Message Centre and choose to publish videos and photos as private or public
  • Take control of their community, by reporting anything that they think is offensive (which is removed from the site automatically, pending review)
  • Catch up on our daily trek towards many more features and Zoopy v2 in the Zoopy Blog.

    To further bolster the safety of their users online, Zoopy has also been in discussions with the SAPS to work very closely at monitoring, preventing and prosecuting any abusers or potential threats to the Zoopy community at large.

    Zoopy is privately owned by Full House Technologies, an online and mobile social media company that’s in business to make the world a smaller place that’s far more fun to live in.