Human Coetzee began playing the cello at the age of six. His first teacher was Betty Pack, and later Marian Lewin. His other teachers included Heilke Bultmann in Marburg, Germany, and Dalena Roux in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Leaving Potchefstroom after completing his schooling, he entered the Robert Schumann Institute in Düsseldorf in 1978, where he continued his studies under the tutelage of Angelica May, a pupil of Pablo Casals. He participated in master classes by Pierre Fournier, Johannes Goritzky and Boris Pergamenshikov. On his return to South Africa in 1981, he enrolled at Stellenbosch University, where he graduated in 1983 with an Honours BMus degree. He then completed his MMus and DMus studies at North-West University in Potchefstroom.

Human has appeared as soloist with a number of orchestras. Apart from his many performances as soloist, he regularly participates in various chamber music ensembles. During his career Human has won several awards, including a special prize in 1988 at the Unisa International String Competition in Pretoria. Since 1990, Human has been teaching at the School of Music of North-West University in Potchefstroom.