Mzansi Ethical Research Centre (MERC) was established in 2000, by Dr MS Tayob and Dr AC Bassa to conduct Clinical Research in the previously under serviced area of Middelburg. MERC expanded in 2010 when Professor PA Matthews came on board as an experienced Principal Investigator and Ann Matthews joined as Site Manager. We are situated in the Central Business District of Middelburg, Mpumalanga. We have a modern research facility dedicated to clinical trials for various conditions. These conditions include Diabetes, Cholesterol, Hypertension, HIV, Pneumonia, Skin and Soft Tissue Infections, Gastroenteritis, and Influenza. Both Dr MS Tayob and Dr AC Bassa received the Paul Harris Award from Rotary International in 2013 for their service to the community. Dr Bassa and Dr Tayob have also won the SCRS Global Site Patient Innovative Recruitment Award in 2015, for being the highest recruiting site in the world. In 2016, MERC expanded by opening two branches. MERC Cape Town also conducts trials on various conditions. MERC Oncology is the branch in Pretoria that conducts trials specifically for cancer research.