ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the speech acts of complimenting in Xhosa. It is divided into five chapters, which are arranged as follows: Chapter 1 states the aims of the study. The method, design and the organization of the study are also investigated. Chapter 2, the speech act theory and the politeness theory have been dealt with. These theories included the basic assumptions of this study. Chapter 3 deals with compliments and compliment responses as they are discussed with regard to various languages, i.e. the works of Wolfson and Manes (1980), Wolfson (1983), Manes (1983), Holmes (1988) and Herbert (1990). Chapter 4 deals with compliments and compliment responses in Xhosa. In this chapter the compliments have been divided into three social groups, namely males and females; friends and people of unequal status. The people of unequal status are divided into two sub-groups, people with superior status and lower status. In Xhosa people of lower and high status do compliment one another. Also Xhosa males and females; friends and people of unequal status tend to compliment one another. The most common compliments concentrate on appearance, ability and possession. In some cases the compliments are used to a way of encouragement and showing of appreciation. People who are being complimented tend to respond to the compliment. The response can be positive or negative. The person who is complimented can agree or disagree with the compliment. The response depends on how he/she feels about the compliment. Chapter 5 is the last chapter of this study. It represents the conclusion in which the main findings in the study are summarized.