The former capital of Mayotte was Dzaoudzi , on the small island of Petite-Terre ( or Pamanzi ) . Mamoudzou was chosen as the capital in 1977 . The former capital of Mayotte was Dzaoudzi , on the small island of Petite-Terre ( or Pamanzi ) , but Mamoudzou was chosen as the capital in 1977 .