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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates' longest serving player Happy Jele has one major objective - to help his club win more silverware.
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Jele has been with the Buccaneers for 12 years and is the only member of the squad who has played in both spells head coach Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic has had at the club.
His outstanding service was recognised last week at the Pirates awards function when he was handed the Chairman's Award by club boss Dr. Irvin Khoza.
"Jele has served us with dignity and he deserves his accolade," Khoza was quoted saying by the Sowetan.
A lot has been achieved in Jele's career since arriving at Bucs as a teenager from Mhluzi, Mpumalanga, having previously played for Walter Stars.
But this has by no means diminished his appetite to improve and to be successful on the field.
"There are a lot of things that still keep me motivated to go and play football,;" he said. "But first of all I have to thank God for keeping me at this great football club.
"I now view the lessons that I get every day at training, in the changing room and during matches in a different light than I did when I was a kid.
"I would say that maybe in the past years I didn't see football the way I do now. I'm seeing it in a different way and I think that's the thing that keeps me going."
The Sea Robbers defender certainly has many memorable moments to look back on, but is determine to contribute further to the club's legacy while he remains part of the setup.
"There are a lot of highs but winning the treble, qualifying for the CAF Champions League final in 2013 and the CAF Confederation Cup final in 2015, are the main for me.
"I want to play football and win many things and repay the team for keeping for me so long." he concluded.
Jele has played over 250 matches for Bucs and has won two league titles, two MTN8 winners' medals, the Nedbank Cup twice, and the Telkom Knockout in 2011.
