The advent of democracy in the country has not only seen the liberation of the oppressed South African society, but it has also turned South Africa into a safe haven for displaced people of the world to seek asylum or refugee status. South Africa currently faces signifi cant migration-related challenges which need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. One such challenge is around asylum seekers and refugees. As a contribution towards finding sustainable solutions, this article will seek to profi le asylum seekers in South Africa. The article will attempt to identify trends in e.g. country of origin, and challenges faced by asylum seekers and refugees in the host country, South Africa. The overwhelming majority of asylum seekers and refugees in South Africa come from the rest of Africa hence this article will attempt to examine the issue of asylum seekers and refugees in its rightful context.