This experience triggered their decision to relocate to Kinondoni, a district of Dar es Salaam.
As most Tanzanian bands of the time, Orchestra Maquis Original was sponsored by the Tanzanian government and, from a commercial point of view, was managed as a cooperative; the cooperative actually had other businesses besides music (e.g., it owned a farm).
The first leader/president of Orchestra Maquis was saxophonist Chinyama Chianza, who served in both roles until his death in 1985.
Subsequent leaders of Maquis include Thsimanga Assosa and Ilunga Mbanza.
Besides kamanyola, some of the most popular mitindo by Maquis were sanifu, ogelea piga mbizi (literally: "swim and dive") and zembwela.