The copulative construction in the African languages of South Africa will be
considered within the following framework: firstly, an overview will be given of the
various copulas or copulative verbs or the absence of overt copulative verbs in these
languages. Secondly, the complements of these copulative verbs will be given as
well as an overview of the moods and tenses within which each such copulative may
appear. Lastly, attention will focus on the semantics and syntax of these copulative
clauses.