As long as the individual doing the hunting is ethical and does his utmost to ensure a clean harvest, then bowhunting is acceptable.
I must first pass a competency test and be registered as a bowhunter by the provincial conservation body. This reduces "loose cannons" by a large amount. Unfortunately, firearm ownership in South Africa is becoming tricky and bowhunting is increasing rapidly, perhaps faster than the ethical side can be properly instilled in new bowhunters. This leads to shots being taken that shouldn't be, by hunters that do not necessarily have the right mindset for bowhunting.
I think the UK stands to benefit from allowing bowhunting, providing some controls are put in place.
http://www.kznhunters.co.za is a link to our provincial hunting association, and on the left are a lot of links. Go to the Code of Ethics.
BTW - a friend of mine spent the past two days chasing two Impala, both gut shot by a rifle toting "hunter" with a .308 at less than 50 yards, in Utrecht Kwazulu Natal. On the other hand, in our bowhunting magazine, I recall a picture of a 12 year old girl with her first bowhunted Impala!