Herbert Hirsch was born on 7 August 1927 and raised in Sea Point. He matriculated at the Sea Point Boys' High School and is the past chairman of the School Committee. He married Shirley (nee Friedman) on 11 January 1953 and they have two sons Alan and Gary.
He has been active in politics representing Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay communities and served in many fields. He was a former chairman of Green and Sea Point Ratepayers Association, Camps Bay/Clifton “TEACH” Community and Cape Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Board of Jewish Deputies, Cape Town Jewish Reform Congregation, Cape Town City Council and alternative Trustee of South African Library. He is a former hockey and baseball player and also a scout master and scout committee member in Sea Point.
He held the positions of Cape Town City Councillor and Cape Town Provincial Councillor between 1972 and 1986. He led the opposition party, Progressive Federal Party in the City Council and Provincial Council , from 1977-1986 and became the president of Cape Town Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1992.