The retired Nigeria-born goalkeeper started a record 375 games for Pirates through the 13 years that he spent registered as a player after arriving from Nigeria in 1993.
That record, which has stood unchallenged since Okpara played his last game in the 2004/05 season, will now be wiped out by Jele this season – possibly within the next month.
Jele is now on 372 starts and having played all but just one of the last 13 games for Pirates, it is now a matter of when instead of if he will surpass Okpara's milestone.
"It always gives me joy to see a child surpassing what the parents did. Is that not what all parents wish for?" Okpara tells snl24.com/kickoff.
"Happy is an outstanding player whose qualities are not appreciated by those watching him from a distance but then on the field and in the dressing room he is a true leader. It is not by accident that Pirates have kept him for this long. I have always known Happy as the kind of player that will come and talk to you with good intentions if he is not in the clear about something.
"These are the kind of players that are not celebrated enough in South Africa. Maybe it is because their game is not about dribbling but the true measure of a legend is in how long a career they have had at the highest level and if it is at one club and one like Orlando Pirates then that is even better.
"I don't care about my record because I was just doing a job when I was playing. I also broke someone else's as well so it is great that mine is being broken as well. He has my blessings and he must now set a record that will stay longer than mine. Records are meant to be broken," says the legendary Pirates keeper.
Okpara had just retired and was working as a goalkeeper coach when Jele arrived at Pirates from Walter Stars 15 years ago as a teenager, making his debut on September 20, 2006 against Maritzburg United.
'Magents' has now grown into a 34-year-old commander who has only ever known the skull and bones emblem on his heart.