* Weekly government bond auction at 0900 GMT
* Q3 unemployment data at 0930 GMT
* Reserve Bank Governor Gill Marcus speaks at 1630 GMT
JOHANNESBURG, Oct 29 (Reuters) - The rand weakened against the dollar early on Tuesday but stayed within a recent range as investors waited for local data and looked towards the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate decision this week.
At 0648 GMT, the rand was down 0.36 percent against the dollar at 9.8610, weakening within a range set last week.
South African Reserve Bank data released at 0600 GMT showed growth in private sector credit demand slowed to 7.55 percent in September, while money supply quickened to 7.03 percent.
Also on the local data calendar on Tuesday is third quarter jobless numbers, due at 0930 GMT. The unemployment rate stood at 25.6 percent in the second quarter.
Dealers said negative perceptions of ongoing mining labour unrest was likely to weigh on risk sentiment during the session.
South Africa's Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union said late on Monday its members had voted to strike at Impala Platinum
Investors are also focused on a meeting of the U.S. Federal Reserve which begins later in the session, where the expectation is that the Fed will keep its bond-buying programme unchanged until next year.
Yields on South African government bonds steadied at 7.95 percent on the benchmark 2026 issue
The Treasury will sell 2.35 billion rand in 2023
South African Reserve Bank Governor Gill Marcus is due to give a speech at a high school at around 1630 GMT.
(Reporting by Xola Potelwa; Editing by Pascal Fletcher)
((xola.potelwa@thomsonreuters.com)(+27 11 775 3098)(Reuters Messaging: xola.potelwa.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: MARKETS SAFRICA/
