Maela made his first appearance in the Derby on Saturday as Bucs played to a goalless draw with Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium.
The 25-year-old is the half-brother of Chiefs fullback Masilela, who missed the latest instalment of the marquee fixture through injury.
Maela told Pirates' website: “My dad called me a lot of times going into the match. I think he was almost as in awe of the occasion as I was. It is one thing to have a son playing in a Soweto Derby, and this he achieved with Tshepo but to have two... that is very special and I could sense that feeling of achievement when we spoke on the phone. As for my mother, she was very happy for me. She kept on motivating me to do well.”
He added: “Overall, I am happy to have been given the opportunity to play in such a big game, but it doesn’t end there. This is only the beginning and this is why I plan to continue working hard so that other young boys coming up can be in my shoes one day and live their dreams like I am today.”
Maela is enjoying his breakout season at Mayfair under new coach Milutin
Sredojevic after returning from a loan spell at the now-defunct Thanda Royal Zulu.
Sredojevic's charges next visit Golden Arrows on Saturday in the first round of the Telkom Knockout.