Idea worth spreading: The power of peers Xola is an 18 year old male who was selected as a GOLD Peer Educator when he was in grade 10 due to his leadership potential. He lives in Kraaifontein, a community riddled with poverty, gangsterism and crime. Xola grew up in a single parent household with four siblings. Before joining GOLD, he used to think it was “only his opinion that mattered”. He now sees himself as a positive role model for his generation and he has been able to influence the decisions of his peers in a measurable way. Xola has encouraged his peers to finish school like himself and to study further after matric despite the tough circumstances that young people in his school and community face. He plans to start a Theatre for youth in his community, to get them involved in something positive. Xola is passionate about spreading an idea to help others to “think out of the box” about the power of positive peer pressure to bring about real change at an individual, group and community level.