Dive into our worlds - Thiloshnie Gramonie - Hof
When I moved from sunny Durban, South Africa to the Netherlands nine years ago, nothing in my life didn’t quite feel settled. New country, new culture, no family support network, no job, and no idea where I fit. I’m naturally introverted, and leaving home without a clear plan was overwhelming. However, having my amazing husband’s support helped me navigate through the culture shock.
What changed everything was joining Prosus. What started as an entry-level role in the Corporate Secretarial team became nine years of learning, growth, and stability — even as the company around me moved faster and faster.
That’s what my story is really about: how you can build confidence, career progression, and belonging inside a high-power environment that never stands still.
Finding stability in a company built for speed
Prosus is fast. Anyone who works here will tell you that. Things change constantly, projects move quickly, and the ambition is huge.
But speed never meant instability for me. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed. I had guidance, structure, and people who wanted me to succeed.
My manager, Barbara, has been the constant throughout my entire journey — almost a decade of encouragement, feedback, and trust. She shaped my career in ways I still struggle to put into words. And Gitte, who leads the broader legal team, pushed me to grow in moments when I could have stayed small. Their support grounded me in an environment that moves quickly but never leaves you behind.
PULL OUT “Even in a fast-moving company, I always felt steady because of the people beside me.”
The moment everything changed
There was one moment that shaped my entire career.
Barbara was recovering from surgery. My colleague was off sick. I had just returned from an emotional trip to South Africa after the one-year memorial of my father’s passing.
And suddenly… I was the entire team.
It was overwhelming — personally and professionally. But I had a choice: collapse under the pressure, or grow through it. So I chose to grow.
I learned quickly, asked questions I would never have asked before, enrolled in courses, reached out to the learning team, leaned on HR, and worked closely with Gitte, who never once let me feel alone.
PULL OUT - “That was my turning point — the moment I realised I could lead, not just follow.”
I had to make decisions, train interim staff, keep things moving, and hold the team together. It was exhausting and empowering at the same time.
Looking back, that experience changed how I see myself. It taught me that even as an introvert, I could carry responsibility, guide others, and bring stability to moments of chaos.
Growing with the company — and growing because of it
Prosus has changed enormously over the past nine years — AI, new ventures, global expansion, more pace, more complexity. But my experience proves something important:
- Pace doesn’t erase care
- Ambition doesn’t exclude belonging
- High performance doesn’t mean doing it alone.
I started in a junior role. Today, I’m a Senior Paralegal. Through hard work and determination I developed with deep expertise, gained confidence I never imagined, and found a voice I never would have used nine years ago — including doing interviews like this. My growth has been shaped by:
- leaders who invested in me
- colleagues who shared knowledge generously
- opportunities I didn’t always feel ready for
- a culture that blends high expectations with genuine support
And now I’m studying again — going back to the foundations of legal knowledge so I can keep expanding my skills. For me, learning never ends. And Prosus creates space for that.
Why the people matter most
I’ve said this many times: the people are the best part of Prosus.
Yes, the company is big. Yes, the pace is fast. But the relationships form the stability you need to thrive here.
Some companies move fast and forget their people. Prosus grows fast because of its people — and invests in them accordingly.
I see it every day:
- leaders who encourage, not intimidate
- teams that collaborate, not compete
- colleagues who lift each other up
- a culture that values learning, flexibility, and an open mind
It’s also why I feel proud when other parents at the school gate say, “Oh, Prosus — I’ve heard such great things about that company.” I get to say, “Yes, I’ve been there 9 years. It’s all true.”
Advice for anyone joining Prosus
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:
Keep an open mind, stay flexible, and never stop asking questions. Prosus moves quickly — not randomly. There is structure, purpose, and a “why” behind every decision. Understanding that will help you feel grounded.
Also… Don’t rush to prove yourself. Learn the basics. Learn the structure. Learn the people.
Everything else builds from there.
And surround yourself with the right mindset. Positivity really does shape your experience here.
Looking ahead
I don’t know exactly what my next chapter at Prosus will be — and that’s exciting. What I do know is that I’ll keep learning, keep growing, and keep giving my best back to a company that has given me so much.
My journey shows that you can build a long, meaningful, stable career here. At Prosus, pace isn’t chaos - it’s momentum. And when you’re surrounded by the right people, it pulls you forward instead of leaving you behind.
If you’re curious to learn more about life at Prosus, follow us on LinkedIn for more stories and explore our current job opportunities.
