JOHANNESBURG, Aug 2 (Reuters) - The South African rand

firmed on Friday as U.S. economic data showed a slowdown in jobs

growth in July and a rise in the unemployment rate, boosting

bets of a September rate cut in the world's biggest economy and

pressuring the dollar.

The rand traded at 18.24 against the dollar at 1553

GMT, about 0.2% stronger than its Thursday close. The dollar was

last down over 1% against a basket of currencies.

The data out of the U.S. followed comments from Federal

Reserve Chair Jerome Powell who on Wednesday said that rates

could be cut as soon as September if the U.S. economy follows

its expected path.

Like other risk-sensitive currencies, the rand often

takes cues from global drivers like U.S. economic data and

monetary policy in the absence of major local drivers.

On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the blue-chip Top-40

index closed about 1.7% down. South Africa's benchmark

2030 government bond was stronger, with the yield

down 9.5 basis points at 9.25%.