South African manufacturing continues to operate under sustained economic, social, political and organisational pressure. Against this backdrop, this paper presents a progressive model for advancing the manufacturing industry by linking leadership, radical transformation and sustainability. The study draws on an extensive literature review and a quantitative survey administered across major South African manufacturing centres. Structural equation modelling was used to test the relationships among antecedent, intervening and outcome variables. The results indicate that leadership, economic conditions, organisational learning and technological factors have important relationships with radical transformation, while political, economic, technological and legal factors show meaningful relationships with sustainability. The paper argues that manufacturing renewal cannot rely on productivity improvement alone. Rather, it requires an integrated management logic that combines human development, ethical leadership, institutional reform and long-term sustainability. The resulting model offers a practical decision framework for leaders seeking to strengthen competitiveness while addressing unemployment, inequality and social inclusion within the South African manufacturing context.

Keywords

Advanced manufacturing industry, leadership, radical transformation, sustainability, organisational learning, South Africa.