We offer our most heartfelt condolences and sympathies to all the Nesbitt family, their many friends and business associates on the sad passing of Digby Nesbitt. As co-in-laws we came to know Digby well and know of the great tribute to him, in shaping his loving children, much in his image, as fine, upstanding and well respected people in their communities. In this Digby’s legacy shall continue. A very successful man, sadly missed.
Blessing to you all.

Digby touched the Hearts of so many in so many ways. It hurts so much to lose him but we will cherish some wonderful memories we all had with him and let him go to rest in peace. Love from all the family and our friends he met from Ozzie

Our heartfelt and condolences go out you Nesbitt family .We will surely miss the presence of a truely loveble, advisor, caring person.

Digby you’re gone but will never be forgotten! We will always cherish our fond memor ies with you and Jessie in our early days in Chiredzi and bury them deep in our hearts. We’ve been friends for over 45 years, we were all so young and just starting our families. My early days with Smith and Bennet you and I would spend many times together. We would always buy those little red round gouda cheeses from the DMB for 90 cents and polish them off, maybe two with a cup of coffee. All our times visiting you and Jessie on the cane farm, our children playing and growing up together are very fond memories. Andre jnr and Tanya nicknamed you ” Oom Varkie” which has stuck all these years. You playing your favourite Elvis records on an old record player, the record players arm bouncing up and down missing a few grooves and a few lines of the song. You and I placed a half crown on the arm to stop the bouncing and we could listen to the words of the song without the missing lines. Our many braais together with you and Jessie, John Mark and Leanna, Snorts and Noelene and all our children playing together were happy memories. Our Patu days in the bush were happy and scary at times. You and I going to Messina to clench the deal and sign the documents on your first ranch. You coming out of the sellers house, shoulders drooping and head hung low I thought you lost the deal. Only to find out when we left the sellers house, him watching us until we were out of sight and us going straight to the shops to buy cokes and cheese to celebrate your fantastic deal. What a day that was and to see you so happy for clenching the deal of a lifetime was the best. You had a smile from ear to ear and to see you so happy warmed my heart. Digby there are so many fond memories, too many to write in a short paragraph, but you will always have a place in our hearts, dear Diggers. Till we meet again our fondest.

Dearest Tracy, Rory, Clinton and family.
So very sorry to hear of the sudden and untimely passing of your wonderful dad. Thinking of you all through this very hard time. No doubt all the old Dagga boys, from the Lowveld, will be getting together for a quiet one today. May you Rest in Peace Digby.

Tracy, Rory and Clinton and the rest of the Nesbitt family and friends, Digby touched so many hearts, and opened so many minds.
We will never forget him, and are grateful to have had him in our lives.
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you are dealing with your loss and with the absence of your father.
May your father’s soul rest in peace. He will be forever missed.
He was such a wonderful person, and I will always be grateful for the memories I have of him.
Your father has taught me how to be a good human being. He was a gentle, kind, and selfless man. Sending my sincere condolences.

What a very sad day for the Nesbitt family, Digby was a true legend who epitomised the value of family and connectedness. He passed his lessons onto the next generations who were blessed to have his time and guidance.

You are all stronger than you believe, may you find the strength to move forward driven by Digs passion and energy and continue to live his legacy.

In the words of Little Rory “he was my hero…” may he continue to be your hero… keep doing what made him so proud.

Sending so much love and strength to all those whose lives he touched. 💔

So sad to hear of Digby’s passing. He was a big part of our lives growing up and a tower of strength to all who knew him. May God bless his lovely wife Leanna and beautiful children and grandchildren during this sad time.
Digby we say goodbye but know you are in a better place, resting in peace in God’s loving arms.
We will miss you but never forget you.

Uncle Digby, even though we lived so far away. I am so grateful for each and every time we were blessed to be with you and the family. The memories we made will be ever lasting. You really leave an incredible mark on so many. Sending so much love and strength to all. Love always and forever.

My sincere condolences to all the Nesbitt families on the passing of Digby. May his soul rest in peace. God bless.

Digby Nesbitt (MR NESBITT) this is how we always addressed you.
What a truly wonderful, caring, wise and humble gentleman.
A legend we so grateful that we had the opportunity of meeting you in our lives and even being part of your employees in your Empire.
Deepest sympathies to all the family for your great loss.
Will always be remembered.

Digby Nesbitt. What can I say. Digbuy was immortal, we met in the early 70’s in Eddie Plaskett’s Cessna 172 at Buffalo Range Airport as apprentice skydivers. Digby and Dale Barrett, the jumpmaster was Bas White. We became friends and later business partners, hunted and shared life and laughter. Anne and I travelled to Mafeking after work on Friday, arrived for Digby and Jessie’s wedding at 4 pm Saturday with half an hour to spare, I drove the bridesmaids in a model T Ford, fluffed the reading of the Afrikaans telegrams, laughed and laughed. We drove back to Chiredzi on Sunday, arriving exhausted at 10 pm having hit a bushpig on Hippo Valley estates. Back to work at 6 am Monday, we were all immortal. All of us who knew them fell in love with Jessie, who could not. Shared in the delight of Digby and Jessie’s babies, watched them grow into the lovely people you know today. Whenever we went back to Chiredzi we found the same two funny, humble people we had known when they had nothing. They met fame and fortune, triumph and disaster and treated those imposters just the same. When Digby was faced with a family of workers devasted by AIDS he not only took on the 4 destitute children, but established an orphanage for 400 more. Such is the measure of the man. We wept when Jessie left us, and rejoiced when Digby found Leanna. Now we bow our heads in sorrow when we hear our friend, the best of men has left us but rejoice in the memories he created. Hlale Kuhle Madoda, go in peace for you will be remembered and respected both in the councils of the mighty and in the homes and hearths of the poor and humble, for you were both.

Today we say goodbye to you, and I can’t help but think of all the happy memories, your infectious laugh, huge smile and the way that you always made people feel welcome. I have never known our family without you, and I can’t even begin to imagine how we would be able ease the pain and fill the emptiness.
You were strong and kind, and the love for your family was indestructible.
We have been very blessed to have you in our lives and I hope that one day, at the end of my life, I have the love that surrounds you.
To Rory, Trace and Clinton. To Uncle Rory and Dad. To Leanna and the rest of my family. He will be with us every time we are together. I hope that you feel him in the quiet moments, in the early mornings and the hard nights. I hope that you see him in his grandchildren and in yourselves.

Let’s pay tribute to Uncle Digby that honours his enduring love and legacy.

Digby such a great loss of such an Officer and a Gentleman. Your sense of humour will always be with us and your wise words and advice. Rip and our sincere condolences to all the family.

I am deeply saddened by Digby’s passing away. Although I had not known him personally for that long he was a legend in Zimbabwe long before he moved to Bulawayo, when I first met him. I thought I would find a typical brash Zimbabwean businessman, but instead I came to know a man with a wonderful twinkle in his eyes, a man of great integrity with a warm and kind heart. Most importantly I came to know someone who placed his faith in Jesus and who strove to walk in his footsteps. His keen interest in the Mashoko Trust and Christian missions in the Lowveld was remarkable. Through our work together he became a friend as well, not just a client. In short Zimbabwe has lost a giant of a man and our Nation cannot afford to lose men of such caliber. To Leanna, Rory and the entire Nesbitt family I extend my deepest sympathy and condolences. My prayer is that you will all be inspired to continue his good work – and strive to emulate his high standards of integrity; Digby’s example has certainly inspired me and will continue to do so. May the good Lord comfort you in this sad time; Digby has run the good race and is now safe in the company of Jesus.

MR Nesbitt who barely even knew us , did what he seemed to do for all . Show the Love of God and love his neighbour . A wonderful father to a most wonderful daughter Trace . Trace your dad now be in the arms of His Father today . Absent in the body and present with the Lord . Amen and amen 🙏🏻 our heart wrenched sadness to the entire family at this sad loss and void left . One man who has left his tribute – mark and irrefutable dent in a broken world . Our prayers and love with you all . We sit quietly with you on this day . Deepest love always .

Digby – You have left a big hole in not only your precious family’s life, but to so many people. My prayer’s are with all the family at this very sad time, especially today. I pray that you will have the strength to get through and in the days ahead . Lots of love xxx

Digby… a great tree has fallen but the fruits of the tree will remain with us forever !!
A man who was admired , respected and loved by all he touched…
Thank you for being a part of our lives 🙏🌅🙏
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all your loved ones today and forever !!
With love

Mr Nesbitt, you were my hero,father, leader, role model what I can say is you mold me to be a better man.In my everyday life I emulate what you taught me.l feel like I’m lying as I speak in the past of you.How can you do this to me leaving us as I was still downloading from your greatest wisdom and guidance.Go well father .The Lord has promoted you to a better place in heaven.Till we meet again in the afterlife.

To the precious man who live every day as a gentleman. It was his true nature – he was a precious mate who I dearly loved. The void I feel is beyond words. I will miss you so much my sweet man.

Dear Tracy
I wish I could wrap my arms around you right now and ease your grief some how …all I can do is send you love and strength and pray that with the love of your family it will carry you through this loss. As I think back on our childhood your dad is so woven into my childhood I am so very blessed to have had this amazing man part of my life I watched him be a dear friend to my own father, got to experience him being a father to you Rory and Clinton, be part of watching him become a proud grandfather and as I grew up saw the bonds he had with his family strengthen ..he was a larger than life man with an enormous heart that knew no bounds … I know he will live on in his children and grandchildren…I hold on to my precious memories, breakfast in the garden, lunch times with the bell, walks around the farm and endless evening sitting around the fire place and later on in my life the many glass of wine while he sat in his chair with one of his precious grandchildren on his lap seeing that sparkle in his eye…please take comfort in the memories and legacy he left
all my love

Digby was a thorough gentleman who sadly left us far too soon . As my brother in law I will always remember him as a genuine, supportive, kind and generous person who leaves a profound empty space in my life that can never be filled.

Digby S. Nesbitt, father of the fatherless and lover of the poor rest in peace after the many years of hard work and exhibitions of all kinds of charitable deeds.

Digby, a giant of a man in so many ways with a larger than life heart. He will be greatly missed here on earth by so many. Our condolences and prayers are with Leanna, Tracy, Rory, Clinton their families and so many friends.

With great sadness I will miss this man. Mary and I loved him so much. His heart was big for all things kind and human. He will rest in eternity with the Saints no doubt. I look forward to seeing him there once again. To this man who was a tireless worker and full of love for his family and friends we say “we salute you, You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race”. Goodbye my friend.

We were extremely saddened to learn of Digby’s passing .. we send our sincere condolences .. thoughts &prayers to the entire Nesbitt family & extended family .. a true gentleman and an iconic Zimbabwe Lowveld stalwart …
RIP Digby Nesbitt you’ll always be remembered …

When mom brought Digby to the States with nervous expectation of what her daughters would think, I knew immediately that God had brought the two of you together. No better person could mom have found to share the past 10 years with! I loved how the two treasured each other, cared for one another and especially watching how Digby protected mom was such a beautiful example of a special marriage! The sweetest thing to me was to watch as they both respected and valued dad and Aunt Jessie in their own union. A perfect match. Only God knows why he took Digby early! My heart aches for the loss of the whole family! Uncle Digby, I will always treasure the memories of Sunday evenings spent at your farm in Chiredzi as a child, watching you and dad chat and be best friends. Dad described you as closer than a brother! I will miss watching you spend time with family in your living room in the evenings and I will especially miss watching your special partnership with mom!
With love and so much respect

With deep sorrow Hippo Valley Christian Mission expresses condolences to our long time servant Leanna (Pemberton) Nesbitt upon the death of her husband, Digby Nesbitt. Funeral services were held in the chapel on their property Sunday, August 22nd. Leanna first went to Zimbabwe over forty years ago as the new bride of John Mark Pemberton and they helped lead the mission together until his tragic death in 2005. The Pemberton and Nesbitt families were best friends, and Digby, a highly successful businessman, was extremely generous to Hippo Valley. Among other things, he built the first HVCM orphanage in Chiredzi, being moved by the plight of children whose parents were dying of HIV/AIDS. Later, after his beloved wife Jessie died of cancer, God brought Digby and Leanna together, and they married a decade ago. Together, their love for God and concern for the people of Zimbabwe was reflected in their generosity. Additionally they were close friends with many of the HVCM staff and board, and we grieve Digby’s passing, while holding to the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:8: “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”

It’s always sad to say goodbye to someone who loved us all so much. Digby’s strength and kindness was ever present, for which we were all so grateful. It’s not often I have met someone with a louder laugh than mine, and we will miss that laugh around the family table next time we all get together again. Love to all our family and friends whose hearts will be a little emptier without you.

To the entire Digby clan. Please accept our deepest condolences from us here at Ecosurgica. I left Harare on Thursday fully expecting to enjoy my visit with Digby on only our second clinic in Byo as he’d missed the first. Sadly this would not be so. I so enjoyed knowing him and caring for him. Truly an honor. To Leanne words cannot express our sorrow for you loss. Please be strengthened by the tremendous legacy your husband has left.

Digby was there to guide me through my rough patch in life, when I was thrown in the deep end , with no income, and two little boys to bring up.
He called me the same day I had prayed for God’s provision and direction, a meeting that catapulted me into a new journey in my life.
Digby was the one who created the opportunity in business, and the foundation, for where I am in business today.
Digby was one of the most generous people I have known. Not many people knew of his big heart and his service to the lowveld community.
He was a man full of Godly Wisdom and good business sense, and never too busy to share and direct me when I needed guidance in the business he helped me set up.
Digby, you are a giant in many lives, you are in our yesterdays, but you will be in our tomorrows.
Your legacy lives on in many who had the privilege to know you.
Our lives have been made better for having known you.
Digby, we salute you.

My prayers are with Leanna and the family at this sad time. Digby was a gentle humble man with a big heart. He will be remembered for the many lives he touched.

What an amazing man. Digby, We will always remember your generosity, and kindness. We will probably never get to know of all the people that you helped in your lifetime, but there were so many. Thank you for all that you did.
Our condolences and love to Leanna, Rory, Tracy, Clinton and their families.
God Bless you all. Wish we could be with you today.

We have lost a giant amongst men and we will miss his incredible wisdom, his mentorship, his advice, his wicked sense of humor and his amazing love.
Rest in peace our dear friend and brother

Our prayers are with you all.
May God uplift you and give you all His Strength at this time. 🗡️❣️🙏
Your dad was one in a million, a very special person, a man with great empathy for the needy, and with a big heart to act on what he believed in…he was God’s hands, feet and mouth 🗡️❣️🏆🙏He was not just a believer, but a doer, in God’s Kingdom amongst the lowveld community 🏆🙏

For Digby, who we loved and love always, how much the richer we were when we had you here. How much I took time for granted. But through the heartache, I am convinced of this, that we will see you again, and this brings such comfort and joy. Thank you for being a pillar to so many, for making a difference in Zimbabwe, for caring so obviously for your family. Your testimony still shines, and it stays with us, with me, and I will be forever grateful to have known you. We will hold you close and stand by your family until we see you again one day.

My father Roger Desa and Digby and Speedy go back a long way my condolences to the family and lots of love.

My big cus Digs, you were a man amongst men with a heart bigger than most. The world will be a lesser place without you. Love and thoughts are with all those who were touched by you. RiP

Mr Nesbitt such a kind and wonderful man who was so loved by all. I feel very blessed that I got to work with him these past 12 years and am going to miss him tremendously. Trev and I are now so grateful that Lee put a tiny ding in our car in December and we got to spend so much extra special time with Mr Nesbitt. We will always remember sitting around with him and hearing all his great stories over the years. Those moments will be treasured forever. To the whole Nesbitt family we are so very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers always.

I’ve just shared on line the beautiful celebration of Digbys life and listened to the wonderful treasured memories of Digby and how he touched the lives of so many people. Jeff’s message was so pertinent and true. My thought and prayers are with you all. I appreciated our brief friendship when I was in Bulawayo and thank you for your hospitality.

Sending so much love and prayers to you all. Digby was an amazing man and no one can imagine what you are all going thru. My thoughts and prayers arecwith you all. Always.

So so sad to be writing a “Good-bye, and God speed,” to Digby – such an integral part of the Lowveld fabric; generous in so many ways, to so many people, and always willing to help out… Gone to a better place, leaving a wonderful legacy behind. With much love to Leanna, Rory, Tracey, Clint and all their families; may the Lord hold you all with the comfort of His love, His Grace and His provision. With much love.

Keeping all the Nesbitts in my thoughts and prayers. I am sorry for your loss. Digby is very much loved and will be sorely missed. Lots of love

Digby a giant among men with a loving and caring heart of an angel. Your supportive inspiration and love guided my life.

I am so sorry for the passing away of our senior boss Mr. D Nesbitt. To me he was more than a father, I’ve lost a best friend. I will always remember him with the good works he has done to me and everyone in this company. I will miss him for ever. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Mr Nesbitt, a true friendly giant, heaven has definitely gained a gentleman. Mr Nesbitt you made a huge impact on my life and I will always be thankful for that. Condolences to the entire Nesbitt family. Lots of Love

I met Digby through Leanna who is a dear friend of mine. Digby soon became a treasured friend and adviser to both Steve and me. It was a sweet love story to watch… when Leanna and Digby found love again after they lost their spouses. I always found it incredibly sweet how they were with each other and how they honored their first loves and their history of friendship together as two couples. Leanna and all of the Nesbitt family and extended families are in my prayers! Digby was bigger than life! A good man who will be missed.

To a great a man whose key words of wisdom i’ll always remember him by: punctuality, maintenance and integrity. Gone so soon

So very sad for all of you.Digby was such a fine upright gentleman. Always so humble and kind to everyone. Such a great loss to Bulawayo and his precious family. May the good Lord bless and comfort you all during this sad time.Special love to Leanna.God bless you.

Gone from our sight,but never from our hearts.

To my dearest Tracy, Rory, Clinton and family. Good people make their exit from this planet faster then others. I lack words to express my grief over the passing of your phenomenal father, Mr Nesbitt. He touched lives without leaving a space of doubt in our hearts. Indeed, I will remain grateful to God for the life time opportunity to meet your dad. If not, I wouldn’t have been able to fathom the incredible loss his death has brought. Accept my deepest sympathy and may his soul rest in peace.

My condolences to the whole family of Nesbitt. May his soul rest in peace. I am Jacob Mandivengerei young brother of Chamunorwa Mandivengerei who works in Nesbitt hotel in Bulawayo.

To Leanna and all the family. Such a sad day to have to say goodbye to such am amazing man. Norton and i will miss you and the many good times we have spent with you. Our prayers are with all of the family.

Our tribute to Digby Sean Nesbitt is to talk about the strength and courage and love of a man who was a Giver. He thought the best of people as he gave to all of the people around him. That led to everyone he knew to want to be a better human being. The quality of a person like Digby is so obvious. The things he accomplished were not just of himself. He was blessed by the Lord. Digby loved his Lord and his family and friends, especially his beautiful wife, Leanna and his children and his puppies. I’m sure Digby has enjoyed meeting his Lord. We are so grateful,

Our most heartfelt condolences to the Nesbitt family on the sad passing of Digby. Our thoughts and our prayers are with you all today.

My Dearest Trace ❤️💔
I wish I could hug you tightly right now, with all my heart and all my strength and take on some of your grief and your pain and your heartbreak. I don’t know the right things to say to you during this horrendous time in your life – a journey that you must make alone with all your own sacred emotions, supported by your family, who are all mourning the same loss.

Your Dad was a gentleman – always dignified and humble, kind and welcoming. Never an unkind word. He was larger than life and well respected by everyone. He was full of wisdom of the ages and yet kept up with the times. He was hospitable, especially in ensuring the wine glass was always full! He always showed an interest in everyone’s lives, especially the people he knew from the Lowveld. I loved his term of endearment “lady” whenever he spoke to me – it made me feel so special. I am sure he used it on all the girls because he couldn’t remember our names, but it is something that was unique to him, and it is a memory I shall treasure.

In the 20+ years you have been my dearest friend, your Dad has been the rock of your life. He has been your confidant, your sounding board, your source of wisdom, your best friend. He has been your home, and helped you navigate life, but given you the freedom to make your own decisions. He has been the most incredible mentor and role model to your sons. You shared an incredible bond of love – and that was obvious to all of us who love you. The immense hole that is left in your life is incomprehensible my darling friend.

I have reminisced over your life in the years that I have known you, and these are some of the beautiful memories that I have of your Dad. He was SO proud of you Trace and the love he had for you shone from his face whenever he was around you.
• Your 21st birthday – he made a speech; he was so proud (and emotional) of his beautiful daughter – the first girl born to the Nesbitt family in years!
• The bottle of scotch he had been keeping for years to drink when that certain special time came.
• Your wedding day – the tears sparkling in his eyes, as he walked you down the aisle.
• The morning in your hospital room after Christian was born – your Mom & Dad were glowing and bubbling over their grandson and they could not have been more proud of you.
• Hugging your Dad at your Mom’s funeral, his shirt drenched with other people’s tears – he was so grateful to all for the love and support.
• Visiting your Dad and Leanna in Bulawayo after they were married and moved into their new house – such a gracious couple with a beautiful home in their new chapter of life.
• Watching your Dad fish with your boys at the pond – the adoration and patience he had, such a very special Grandpa.

Christian, Gray and Ben – I am so sad for you. Your Grandpa will always live in you, in the memories you keep in your hearts and in your minds – and the love of your grandparents will always shine from you for the rest of your lives.

My thoughts are with you, Rory & Lee, Clints & Tess and your children, and with dear Leanna – and I hope that you will all find comfort in each other during this heart-breaking time and that the special memories of your wonderful Dad, Grandpa and Husband will keep you strong.

Your Dad is a legend of the Lowveld and will always be spoken of fondly and remembered warmly by all who knew him and all who live here.

Sending you love from the bottom of my heart. You are in my thoughts and prayers, let the waves of emotions take their turns.

Much love

Gone too soon. But you will most certainly never be forgotten by every single person you touched with your spirit of love, kindness and enthusiasm in all you did. You built an empire that will live on with your family in memory of you. May the joy of those memories overcome the deep sadness that your untimely passing has created. Until we see you again.

Our beloved Digby – gone far too soon. Your kindness, compassion, integrity and larger than life presence will never be matched, nor forgotten. We will always be grateful for having you in our lives and will cherish the memories and many good times spent together. Digby – you will remain in our hearts and minds forever and thank you for enriching our lives in so many ways. Our hearts go out to Leanna, Rory, Tracey, Clinton, Rory, Shane, Arthur and their children. With much love

Dear Rory, Tracy, Clinton, Lee, Tessa and your precious families, I am so very sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing. He was always such a Gentleman and I truly enjoyed working for him!You are all very much in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time. I am thinking of you so much and sending you my sincere and heartfelt condolences. Praying God holds you all tight in his precious hands as you grieve his loss, but celebrate his life.

Leanna, Rory, Tracey, Clinton and all the family. You have been so much in my thoughts these last few days. I was so saddened to hear that Digby had passed away. He was a good friend and neighbour.
When Paul got back from 7 weeks of radiation in South Africa Jessie delivered a barrel of sherry from Digby. That was 16 years ago. We made quite a dent in it but still have some way to go. It has got better with time.

DIGBY IS GONE

“You can shed tears that he is gone OR you can smile because he has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back OR you can open your eyes and see all that he has left

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him OR you can be full of the love that you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday OR you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember him and only that he is gone OR you can cherish his memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back OR you can do what he would want : smile, open your eyes, love and go on. ”

With all our love to Leanna, Rory and family, Tracy and Family, Clinton and family.

May his soul rest in eternal peace, rest in power Mr Nesbitt, u contributed so much in my life.