A year since Marco Joseph’s passing, fans and fellow singers remember his voice, his leadership, and the grief that still lingers.
It has been one year since the Tanzanian gospel community lost Marco Joseph, the lead vocalist of Zabron Singers. His sudden death last August left fans and fellow musicians reeling, silencing one of the most recognisable voices in East African gospel.
This week, the group marked the anniversary with a moving tribute. On social media, singer Japhet Zabron shared a heartfelt message, recalling the bond he once shared with his late colleague.
“They called us twins,” he wrote in Swahili. “When you were not on tour, I was asked where my twin was. It has been a year now. The only courage to forget the pain is my prayer to God. Oh God, remind us to count our days all the days of our lives.”
Alongside the words, Japhet posted photos of himself with Marco — a quiet reminder of how deeply his absence is felt within the group.
A Shock That Still Hurts
Marco’s death in 2024 came as a shock across Tanzania and beyond. Within hours, Zabron Singers released an emotional tribute song, Imeniuma Sana — “This has pained me greatly.” The track, which quickly gathered millions of views online, captured the raw grief of a group suddenly robbed of its leader.
“I’m in so much pain, my God help me… You were my dearest friend,” they sang, echoing the heartbreak of fans across the region.
More Than a Voice
Marco was not only the voice at the centre of the Zabron Singers’ sound. He was also their Chairman, choirmaster and a mentor to younger members. Colleagues often described him as a guiding presence — a figure whose leadership kept the group steady and whose teaching shaped its future.
One fan, commenting on Japhet’s tribute last year, called him “gifted” for finding the strength to record Imeniuma Sana so quickly. It was proof of the closeness between the singers and of how much Marco’s loss cut through the fabric of the group.
Legacy and Memory
For fans, the first anniversary is both painful and consoling. Painful, because it reopens wounds that are far from healed. Consoling, because Marco’s voice and influence remain alive in the music still being performed.
The Zabron Singers continue to tour and record, but audiences are reminded that their story will forever carry the memory of a man whose leadership, faith, and music touched thousands.
For many, Marco Joseph has not gone silent. His voice continues to sing, carried forward by the very group he helped build.
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