Remembering Rabobi (The Xhosa Spider-Man Theme Song)

Remember the 80s Xhosa Spider-Man that appeared on TV1 (now SABC 1) back in the 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. For those feeling nostalgic, here is the original Xhosa theme song for Rabobi.

The 80s was 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. 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 theme song in Xhosa. We had to. Rabobi was special. More special than Spider-Man. There was something about the dubbed theme song that really captured the times. Apartheid wasn’t abolished yet and Rabobi was our only access to a Xhosa-speaking hero. 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. 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’ta love lyrics like “Rabobi ba ya gona Dr . Octopus left right, iGreen Goblin uppercut KO one time!”

Lyrics:

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