The MeCRU Clinical Research Unit (MeCRU) at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) marked 20 years of advancing clinical research, innovation, and community health with a gala dinner celebrating two decades of scientific impact and collaboration.
The milestone event reflected on MeCRU’s remarkable journey — from a modest research initiative to a globally recognised site that has contributed to major studies shaping healthcare in South Africa and beyond. Delivering the keynote address virtually, Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, congratulated the unit for its lasting contribution to science and public health.
“For 20 years, MeCRU has shown what dedication, teamwork, and a commitment to research excellence can achieve,” Dr Motsoaledi said. “This unit has strengthened our country’s capacity to respond to health challenges, from HIV and tuberculosis to the COVID-19 pandemic. You have proven that science truly can transform lives.”
He added that MeCRU’s success was due to strong partnerships among academia, government, and industry. “Sustained collaboration is vital if we are to build a healthier and more equitable South Africa,” he said.
Professor Glenda Gray, Chief Scientific Officer at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and Distinguished Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, paid tribute to MeCRU’s role in shaping South Africa’s clinical research landscape.
“MeCRU embodies the spirit of scientific excellence,” Professor Gray said. “It has consistently upheld the highest standards of ethics, quality, and community engagement. Over the years, it has generated evidence that influences national health policy and improves patient care.”
She praised the unit’s contribution to nurturing new scientific talent. “MeCRU’s real legacy lies in its people,” she said. “The mentorship, the training, and the opportunities created here have empowered a generation of researchers who continue to make a difference across South Africa and the world.”
Professor Gray also highlighted MeCRU’s involvement in vaccine development, particularly its role as a research site for the Phase III Paediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Study conducted in partnership with the Numolux Group and Sinovac Biotech.
“When the world needed answers, MeCRU was ready,” she said. “Its work during the pandemic demonstrated both scientific capacity and compassion for the communities it serves.” Bringing the evening to a close, Professor Maphoshane Nchabeleng, MeCRU’s founding leader and Site Principal Investigator, reflected on the unit’s 20-year journey.
“When MeCRU was established, our goal was to conduct world-class research that would benefit the people of South Africa,” she said. “We began with a small team and limited resources, but we were driven by passion, purpose, and the belief that science could make a real difference.”
Professor Nchabeleng said the road had not been easy, but the results spoke for themselves. “Over two decades, MeCRU has grown from strength to strength — contributing to global clinical trials, building capacity, and earning the trust of our communities,” she said.
She took a moment to thank all those who had made MeCRU’s success possible. “To our dedicated staff, research partners, funders, and collaborators — thank you for believing in our mission,” she said. “Your hard work, resilience, and shared commitment have sustained MeCRU through every challenge. This achievement belongs to all of us.”
As guests toasted the milestone, the atmosphere was filled with pride and reflection. MeCRU’s story is one of perseverance, partnership, and progress — a testament to what can be achieved when science and humanity come together.
From its early beginnings to its current position as a leader in ethical, community-based research, MeCRU’s 20-year legacy stands as a source of inspiration for SMU and the broader scientific community — a promise that the next 20 years will be defined by even greater innovation and impact.
By Dimakatso Modise
