Rabobi: The Spider-Man Theme South Africa Never Forgot — Now Getting Attention Again Thanks to Brand New Day

Most of us were forced to tune into the simulcast broadcast on the radio in order to catch The Amazing Spider-Man in English on SABC 1. For those feeling nostalgic, here is the original Spider-Man theme song for Rabobi.

The ’80s Spider-Man Theme South Africa Couldn’t Get Enough Of

The ’80s were a simpler time. As a kid, five o’clock meant sprinting home from a game of cricket in the streets in order to catch The Amazing Spider-Man on TV. Unfortunately, Spidey wasn’t in English. It wasn’t in Afrikaans either or Xhosa. It was Sesotho. “Rra” means mister (or simply “man”), “bobi” means web, so Rrabobi literally translates to “Mister Webs.”

Thankfully, our TV (a rather large Telefunken set) allowed us to tune into the radio (which broadcasted the original English) at the same time. But not until we listened to the Spider-Man theme song in Sesotho. We had to.

Rabobi Was Catchier Than the Real Spider-Man Theme — No Contest

“RAH-boo-BEE! RAH-boo-BEE!”

Rabobi was special—more special than the regular Spider-Man. Something about the dubbed theme song really captured the times. Apartheid in South Africa was ending, and Rabobi was our only access to a South African-language-speaking superhero. While Die Swart Kat will always hold a special place in my heart, it just wasn’t the same.

Today we salute Rabobi. He might not be a real local hero, but he managed to give us hope during hopeless times.

Unfortunately, we’re unable to find the original theme song as it appeared on television. However, a band by the name of Slugs of War covered the song in 2002-2003. Still, it’s hilarious and quite catchy. You have to love lyrics like “Rabobi ba ya gona Dr . Octopus left right, iGreen Goblin uppercut KO one time!”

The tune clearly still slaps, too: earlier this year, the Ndlovu Youth Choir revived Rabobi for a viral Spider-Man: Brand New Day tribute video, and Tom Holland gave the choir a personal shoutout. Full circle for South Africa’s favourite dubbed superhero.

The Lyrics Every ’80s Kid Still Knows By Heart

Rabobi Rabobi yanga sizwe Rabobi
Mzeweki bo yangangana
Amanzi seko sebo tshabana
Ingozi yanga iRabobi

iYa ditswa kae ke ya gona hoa i barena ba Pita Paka yangana i High School Science Student
hao Chemistry on the higher grade

Di footswa yanga bana metsi i radioactive spida bite Baba change ya Pita Paka ke a Rabobi

Change a motwa yana iChief Whip of New York City haho duma balunga ba defenda of Truth & Justice
Hoa ya cheesa ke Rabobi

Rabobi Rabobi yanga sizwe Rabobi
Mzeweki bo yangangana
Amanzi seko sebo tshabana
Ingozi yanga iRabobi

Domafanya ba ya tsetsie iGreen Goblin baba kae iDr . Octopus Botswa iarch enemies otswa a Rabobi

Rabobi banetsa ispider sense is tingling.
Di gona yoa iGreen Goblin Dr . Octopus
Ya tokoloshi medicine, Hao!

Rabobi ba ya gona Dr . Octopus left right
iGreen Goblin uppercut KO one time

Di ya azipepe ijail
Doa peace no TRC ya New York

Rabobi, Rabobi, Rabobi, Rabobi

Listen to the Full Rabobi Cover by Slugs of War

Kids today will never understand. The South African Spider-Man (Rabobi) is the stuff of legend.

Tell us, do you remember the Rabobi Spider-Man theme song? Also, check out our list of 5 iconic songs from superhero movies.