Alois Hugo Nellmapius

He trained as an engineer in the Netherlands and arrived in South Africa on board the ship Nathan in 1873 - one of his fellow passengers was John X. Merriman, later Prime Minister of the Cape Colony.

He was successful at gold mining near Pilgrim's Rest in the Eastern Transvaal, and managed to obtain the first transport concession to Delagoa Bay in 1875.

Under their management and with a temperate climate, ample water and fertile soil, they transformed the land into an extensive flower, fruit and vegetable garden of world renown.

Flora Shaw of "The Times" of London, visited the Irene Estate in 1892 and was astounded at the scale of the farm and gardens: "With the exception of cherries, gooseberries and currants, all European fruits flourish well.

Throughout the estate the water courses, which divided the fields, were bordered by hedges of quince, pear, apple, plum and peach...acres of roses, violets and ornamental plants surrounded the house..." Kruger House, situated in Church Street West, Pretoria, and built in a Victorian veranda style, was designed by Tom Claridge, one of Pretoria's first architects and was erected on the instructions of Nellmapius.