[1] Kotzé received his education in Cape Town and initially found himself in the business world, but on medical advice decided to start farming.
In 1839 he bought a section of the Leeuwenhof estate, next to Hof Street in Cape Town, from Joseph Upjohn.
He began to cultivate the vineyards and orchards on the land and also established an impressive garden.
[1][4] He married Susanna Maria Blanckenberg and there were two sons and four daughters, born from the marriage.
Both of his sons played prominent roles in Southern African society.